Ravish Malhotra


Ravish Malhotra is a retired Air Commodore of the Indian Air Force. He was an Air Force test pilot stationed at the test centre in Bangalore. He was also the Air Officer Commanding of Hindon Air Force Station near Delhi.
In 1982, he was chosen to train for spaceflight in the Soviet Union's Intercosmos program. Malhotra served as backup for Rakesh Sharma on the Soyuz T-11 mission which launched the first Indian into space, but never went to space himself. Malhotra was awarded the Kirti Chakra and Soviet order of Friendship of Peoples in 1984.
Ravish Malhotra qualified as a test pilot and the highly experienced Wing Commander Malhotra was chosen to undergo training in Russia for the Indo-Soviet Space mission planned in 1984. He successfully completed the extremely demanding training schedule with credit and distinction.
Service No 7678
Branch : F
Rank : Wing Commander
Unit : Indo Soviet Space
Reference : Gazette of India, 19 May 1984 - No.58 - Pres/85 dated 7 May 1985