Who is Anil Menon? Meet the Indian-origin NASA astronaut set for his first ISS mission, why his family is known as the ‘Astronaut Family’, he is from…

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is all set to begin his first journey to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a major milestone in his career as a doctor, engineer and astronaut. According to NASA, Menon will launch aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 14. He will travel alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The three-member crew is expected to dock with the ISS about three hours after launch and spend nearly eight months in space before returning to Earth in April 2027. During the mission, the crew will work as part of Expedition 74 and carry out several important scientific experiments that could support future Moon and Mars missions.

Who is Anil Menon?

Anil Menon was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021. He is a physician, mechanical engineer and colonel in the US Space Force with expertise in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine. Before becoming an astronaut, he served as a NASA flight surgeon, helping astronauts prepare for space missions. He also worked with SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of the company’s human spaceflight programme.

Menon has an impressive academic background with degrees in neurobiology, mechanical engineering and medicine. His diverse experience in medicine, engineering and military service has made him one of NASA’s highly skilled astronauts.

Kerala roots and service beyond space

Although Anil Menon was born in Minneapolis, United States, his family has roots in Palakkad, Kerala. His father is of Indian origin, while his mother is of Ukrainian origin. Early in his career, Menon served in the US Air Force and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Apart from his military service, Menon has also worked with the Himalayan Rescue Association, providing medical care to climbers on Mount Everest. His work in extreme environments has helped prepare him for the challenges of human spaceflight.

Wife Anna Menon makes them an astronaut family

Anil Menon’s wife, Anna Menon, is also a well-known astronaut. She gained global attention after flying on the historic Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024, which included the world’s first private spacewalk. She is currently undergoing NASA astronaut training.

The couple has two children, and because both husband and wife are astronauts, they are often referred to as a complete astronaut family.

What will Anil Menon do on the ISS?

During his eight-month stay aboard the ISS, Menon will conduct several advanced scientific studies aimed at supporting future long-duration space missions. His research will focus on manufacturing semiconductor crystals in space, which could help develop future high-performance computing systems and artificial intelligence technologies.

He will also study how the human body adapts to microgravity by examining changes in blood flow and testing the bioprinting of vascular tissue in space. These experiments are expected to provide valuable information for future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

NASA says the mission combines international cooperation with cutting-edge scientific research, making it another important step in expanding humanity’s presence in space. For Anil Menon, the launch represents the beginning of his first spaceflight and a significant achievement for an Indian-origin astronaut contributing to the future of space exploration.