NASA astronaut Anil Menon set to embark on his first mission to International Space Station

NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to embark on his first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2026, serving as a flight engineer and a member of Expedition 75. He will travel aboard Roscosmos’ Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The mission is expected to last approximately eight months.

During his time aboard the ISS, Menon will take part in scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at supporting future space exploration and benefiting life on Earth. His work will contribute to preparations for upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars under NASA’s Artemis programme, as well as broader efforts to expand commercial activities in low Earth orbit.

Menon, who was selected by NASA in 2021 and graduated as part of the 23rd astronaut class in 2024, has an extensive background in medicine, engineering, and military service. Born in Minneapolis, he holds degrees in neurobiology, mechanical engineering, and medicine from Harvard and Stanford. He completed medical residencies in emergency and aerospace medicine and currently practices medicine and teaches in Texas.

Before joining NASA, Menon was SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, playing a key role in the Demo-2 mission and helping establish the company’s medical operations. His new mission continues the legacy of more than two decades of continuous human presence aboard the ISS, advancing scientific progress and paving the way for future deep space exploration.