Runway
to the Stars

My journey in cricket taught me that dreams become reality through hard work, discipline, perseverance and courage. Today, India’s young people have the opportunity to dream even bigger, to become the astronauts, scientists, and engineers who will take India to new frontiers in space. Drawing on his own remarkable journey and his lifelong passion for aviation and space, Yuri’s Runway to the Stars brings the excitement of space exploration within easy reach of his readers, both young and old. He inspires them to stay curious and believe that the stars are not beyond their reach. Dream big. Work hard. Believe in yourself. The next Indian astronaut could be reading this book right now.

Runway to the Stars is a racy and captivating conversation that Yuri has with the reader. Full of interesting information about space flight with lucid explanations, he introduces the reader to the wonders and challenges of the journey beyond planet Earth. We are today increasingly becoming aware of our responsibility towards safe guarding our limited resources. The future and our continued survivability lie in the exploration of outer space, which is an enormously complicated operation.  Runway to the Stars makes the whole process comprehendible, at the same time encourages the youth to don that spacesuit and contribute to India’s journey into space exploration. Once a candidate himself, along with Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma, vying to become India’s first cosmonaut, Yuri has not let his passion for space flight fade away with the passage of time. Instead, he has laid the Runway to the Stars for young Indians looking for a challenging profession! I have little doubt that many, if not most schools will flag Runway to the Stars for non-syllabus reading; possibly encouraging students to take up projects on space travel. For sure Runway to the Stars will appeal to all, irrespective of one’s age or calling, for it is an adventure into the future without an end!

Today in India, there is very little to inspire the youth to take up a career in matters related to the exploration of outer space. Runway to the Stars fills that void. The book, full of interesting episodes connected to space flight, including Yuri’s personal experiences during selection of the first Indian astronaut, aims to extend the outreach that is needed in India today, particularly in the years leading up to the launch of our very own Gaganyan project that will put the first Indian in space on an Indian rocket. It is essential reading for Indians who take pride in our achievements in space, as well as the youth who look up at the night sky and yearn to get there someday. Having led the Indian Air Force for over 2 years, I completely endorse Yuri’s enthusiasm to light that spark in young Indians and take our nation forward in its march towards space exploration.

By undertaking to write this book Yuri has leveraged his varied experiences with the sole purpose of motivating Gen Z, to take up the exciting challenge of contributing towards our country’s space program. His readers will be captivated by his racy style and explanations of complex and exciting processes without dumbing it down excessively. Not easy!

I’ve known Yuri for over 30 years and he continues constantly to surprise me, revealing yet another unexpected talent and accomplishment: Fighter pilot, trainee astronaut, radio show host, film and TV actor, amateur artist, mixologist extraordinaire who delights in devising exotic cocktails for his guests, and now author of Runway to the Stars, an inspiring book for readers of all ages who remain as young and adventurous at heart as the writer is. Runway is an exploration of both the outer space of the solar system and beyond, and India’s soaring achievements in it, and the inner space of dedication and determination that will make the reader want to reach for the sky of self- actualization. Get the book and read it. In it you’ll discover the most invigorating and exhilarating tonic you’ve ever had.General Quotes for Promotion of t6he book. Every young Indian who has looked up with wonder at the night sky has already begun the journey. RTTS is here to show them the way. A journey through the science, history, and future of space flight, written for every Indian who has ever wondered what it takes to leave the Earth. From the physics of a rocket launch to the story of Gaganyaan, this is the definitive guide to India’s place among the stars. From a bicycle carrying rocket tubes to a lander on the lunar south pole, India’s space program is one of the great underdog stories in science. How a rocket escapes gravity : explained without a physics degree. Real paths into ISRO, private space companies, and research. Every generation needs a reason to look up. This book gives young Indians the science, the story, and the belief that space is theirs too! Runway to the Stars : A book, a podcast, and a knowledge hub for every young Indian who dreams of space.