Rakesh Sharma ''dreams'' another space odyssey

Hyderabad, Sep 28 (UNI) As India is toying with the idea of a Manned Space Mission, country's first cosmonaut Wing Cdr (retired) Rakesh Sharma has offered to join it.

Sharma, who had spent eight days in space aboard the Salyut-7 with two Russian cosmonauts in 1984, expressed his eagerness to go to space again.

He was ready to share his expertise with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in whatever manner it wanted, Sharma told reporters on the sidelines of the 58th International Astronautical Congress.

Sharma, who had undergone training for manned mission, recalled that he had aspired to become a pilot in his early years, when he was in school in Hyderabad.

Later, interacting with young students aspiring for a Space career, he exhorted them to join the ISRO even though one could make a fast buck in the private sector.

UNI