Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut Anil Menon to Embark on First ISS Mission in 2026

Anil Menon, an astronaut of Indian origin, is preparing for his first space mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2026, NASA announced.

"NASA astronaut Anil Menon will embark on his first mission to the International Space Station, serving as a flight engineer and Expedition 75 crew member," the statement read.

Menon will launch aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft in June 2026 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He will be accompanied by Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The trio is scheduled to spend approximately eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory.

During his mission, Menon will be engaged in conducting scientific research and testing innovative technologies with the goal of advancing human space exploration and improving life on Earth.

Who is Anil Menon?

Anil Menon's journey began in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he grew up as the son of immigrants from Ukraine and India. He is a certified flight instructor with over 1,000 hours of flight time and a passion for teaching general aviation.

Menon's academic achievements include:

• Graduation from Saint Paul Academy and Summit School (1995)
• Bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Harvard University (1999)
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University (2004)
• Medical degree from Stanford Medical School (2006)
• Residency in emergency medicine at Stanford (2009)
• Fellowship in wilderness medicine (2010)
• Residency in aerospace medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) (2012)
• Master’s degree in public health (2012)

He is board-certified in both aerospace medicine and emergency medicine.

Menon began his career at NASA in 2014 as a flight surgeon, providing medical support for astronauts on long-duration missions to the International Space Station. He served as deputy crew surgeon for Soyuz 39 and Soyuz 43 missions, and as the primary crew surgeon for Soyuz 52. Furthermore, within the human health and performance directorate, he spearheaded initiatives related to the health maintenance system and contributed to the development of the direct return aircraft. He spent over six months living and working in Star City, Russia, according to NASA's website.