Rakesh Sharma ( born January 13 , 1949 in Patiala , Punjab , India ) was a Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force , was the first Indian and 138th person to travel in space . Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma , AC , ( born January 13 , 1949 ) is a former Indian Air Force test pilot , and Cosmonaut who flew in space aboard Soyuz T-11 as part of an Intercosmos Research Team . Sharma was the first Indian and 138th person to travel in space .