Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is preparing for the biggest mission of his career as he gets ready to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) for his first long-duration spaceflight. The mission is expected to see Menon spend around 240 days in orbit, marking a significant milestone in his journey from physician and engineer to astronaut.
NASA has announced that Menon will serve as a flight engineer on Expedition 75, scheduled to launch aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in June 2027. He will travel alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.
Born to Indian and Ukrainian parents, Menon has built an impressive career spanning medicine, engineering and space exploration. Before joining NASA’s astronaut corps in 2021, he worked as an emergency medicine physician and played a key role in human spaceflight programmes.
Menon was also involved with SpaceX, where he served as the company’s first flight surgeon and helped support NASA’s crewed missions. His work focused on astronaut health, mission planning and medical support for spaceflight operations.
During his stay aboard the ISS, Menon will participate in a range of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration. Research conducted on the station helps scientists better understand how living and working in space affects the human body and supports preparations for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA officials say long-duration missions remain critical for developing the technologies and operational experience needed for deep-space exploration. Menon’s medical background is expected to be particularly valuable during the mission, given the complex health challenges associated with extended stays in microgravity.
The announcement has generated excitement among space enthusiasts, especially in India, where Menon’s achievements have drawn widespread attention. His mission follows a growing list of astronauts of Indian origin contributing to global space exploration efforts.
As he begins training for the expedition, Menon is expected to take part in extensive preparations, including spacecraft operations, emergency procedures, scientific research activities and international crew coordination.
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