Commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Pilot Officer in 1970. Then a Squadron Leader to embark on a historic mission in 1984 as a part of a joint space program between ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos space program. He spent eight days in space aboard the Salyut 7 space station.

He was conferred with the honour of ‘Hero of Soviet Union’ upon his return from space. The Government of India conferred on him its highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra.