WASHINGTON, Jul 14: NASA astronaut Anil Menon is preparing to begin his first long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking another significant milestone for astronauts of Indian origin in global space exploration. Menon is scheduled to lift off on Tuesday from Kazakhstan’s historic Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the Russian Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, joining two Roscosmos cosmonauts for an eight-month scientific expedition in orbit.
The Soyuz MS-29 mission is expected to launch at 8:17 p.m. IST on Tuesday. After a journey of just over three hours, the spacecraft will dock with the International Space Station at approximately 11:56 p.m. IST, allowing the crew to enter the orbital laboratory shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
Menon will be accompanied by experienced Russian cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov and fellow Roscosmos astronaut Anna Kikina as part of Expedition 75, a mission focused on advancing scientific research, technology demonstrations and international cooperation in space.
International Crew to Expand ISS Expedition
Following docking, the new arrivals will join an international team already living and working aboard the ISS. The station currently hosts NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev and Andrey Fedyaev.
Together, the expanded crew will continue a broad range of scientific investigations designed to improve life on Earth while preparing humanity for future missions beyond low-Earth orbit.
From Medicine to Military Service
Anil Menon brings an exceptional blend of medical expertise, military leadership and aerospace experience to the mission.
Born in Minneapolis to Indian and Ukrainian immigrant parents, the 49-year-old is an emergency medicine physician and serves as a colonel in the United States Space Force.
Before entering NASA’s astronaut corps, Menon served with the US Air Force and was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, where he provided emergency medical care under demanding operational conditions.
His humanitarian work also includes serving with the Himalayan Rescue Association, offering medical assistance to climbers and trekkers in the Mount Everest region.
Strong Connection with India
Despite building his career in the United States, Menon has maintained close ties with India.
He spent nearly a year in the country as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, contributing to public health initiatives supporting India’s nationwide polio vaccination programme.
His Indian heritage and humanitarian contributions have made him an inspiring figure for students and aspiring scientists across both India and the United States.
Journey Through NASA and SpaceX
Menon’s career in human spaceflight began in 2014, when he joined NASA as a flight surgeon responsible for supporting astronauts assigned to missions aboard the International Space Station.
His medical expertise later led him to SpaceX, where he joined the company in 2018 to establish and lead its astronaut medical programme.
During his tenure, Menon played a major role in preparing astronauts for SpaceX’s first crewed missions and contributed to the development of Starship, the next-generation spacecraft intended for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Recognising his unique qualifications, NASA selected Menon as an astronaut in December 2021, after which he successfully completed nearly two years of rigorous astronaut training.
Family Dedicated to Space Exploration
Space exploration is a shared passion in Menon’s family.
His wife, Anna Wilhelm, is also an astronaut and participated in the Polaris Dawn private space mission operated by SpaceX in September 2024.
That nearly five-day mission achieved several important milestones in commercial human spaceflight and highlighted the growing role of private companies in advancing orbital exploration.
Mission Focused on Human Health in Space
A major objective of Menon’s mission will be to better understand how prolonged exposure to microgravity affects the human body.
He will participate in medical studies examining blood circulation, changes in vein structure and alterations in blood composition during extended stays in orbit.
The findings are expected to help scientists improve healthcare for astronauts undertaking future missions to the Moon, Mars and other deep-space destinations.
Researchers also believe that many discoveries from these investigations could benefit patients on Earth by improving understanding of cardiovascular and circulatory disorders.
Developing Medical Solutions for Deep-Space Travel
Another important experiment will involve testing technologies capable of producing intravenous (IV) fluids using the International Space Station’s onboard potable water system.
Such innovations could prove invaluable during future deep-space missions, where astronauts will have limited opportunities to receive medical supplies from Earth.
The technology aims to make future crews more self-sufficient during long-duration exploration missions.
Advancing Semiconductor Manufacturing
Menon will also support research into producing high-quality semiconductor crystals under microgravity conditions.
Scientists believe the weightless environment can produce more uniform crystal structures than those manufactured on Earth.
The research could contribute to future advances in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence systems, advanced communication technologies and next-generation medical equipment.
Artificial Intelligence to Transform Space Medicine
Among the mission’s most innovative experiments will be investigations using augmented reality and artificial intelligence to perform ultrasound examinations in space.
The technology is designed to reduce astronauts’ dependence on real-time guidance from medical experts on Earth.
Such autonomous medical capabilities are expected to become increasingly important during future missions to Mars, where communication delays make immediate support impossible.
A Mission Symbolising International Cooperation
Although launched aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, Menon’s mission reflects the continued partnership between NASA, Roscosmos and the European Space Agency in maintaining continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station.
Despite geopolitical challenges on Earth, the ISS remains one of the world’s strongest examples of peaceful international scientific collaboration.
As Menon begins his eight-month stay in orbit, his work is expected to contribute valuable knowledge that will shape the future of human space exploration while strengthening scientific understanding across medicine, engineering and advanced technology.
With dozens of research investigations planned throughout the expedition, the mission promises to further NASA’s long-term objective of preparing astronauts for sustainable exploration beyond Earth’s orbit, including future journeys to the Moon under the Artemis programme and eventual human missions to Mars.