NASA astronaut Anil Menon has reached the International Space Station (ISS), beginning his first mission in space. The Indian-origin astronaut travelled aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft with Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and docked with the ISS a little over three hours later, where the crew was welcomed by astronauts already on board.
Menon’s arrival temporarily increases the station’s crew to 10 members. He and his two crewmates are expected to spend about eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory before returning to Earth in April 2027.
During the mission, Menon will take part in scientific research aimed at improving life in space and on Earth. His work includes studying how microgravity affects blood circulation, testing artificial intelligence-assisted ultrasound systems, advancing bioprinting technology and supporting experiments to produce high-quality semiconductor crystals in space. Scientists believe the findings could help improve healthcare, develop advanced materials and support future missions to the Moon and Mars.
A physician, US Air Force lieutenant colonel and former SpaceX flight surgeon, Menon was selected by NASA as part of its 2021 astronaut class. His first journey into space is being widely celebrated, particularly among the Indian diaspora, as another milestone in the growing contribution of people of Indian origin to global space exploration.
The mission also reflects the continued cooperation between NASA and Russia’s Roscosmos aboard the International Space Station. Despite geopolitical tensions on Earth, the two space agencies continue to work together on human spaceflight and scientific research.
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