Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut Anil Menon Reaches ISS on First Space Mission

New Delhi, July 15, 2026 Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS), marking the beginning of his first space mission. The eight-month expedition highlights the continued collaboration between international space agencies while advancing research that could benefit both future human space exploration and life on Earth. During the mission, Menon will participate in a series of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations aboard the orbital laboratory. Menon reached the ISS after launching aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft docked with the ISS's Prichal module at 1:52 p.m. EDT following a journey of about three hours and two orbits. He was accompanied by Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, temporarily increasing the station's crew to ten members. Before liftoff, Menon posted on X, “Proud to serve the United States Space Force and launch to the International Space Station today in support of NASA and our international partners!” In another post, he wrote, “Excited to launch on Soyuz MS-29 from Kazakhstan and begin an eight-month mission in support of NASA and Expeditions 74/75. Grateful to the NASA community, friends, family and loved ones, and excited for tomorrow.” According to NASA, Menon, Dubrov and Kikina are scheduled to remain aboard the ISS until April 2027. This is Menon's first journey into space, while it marks the second mission for both Dubrov and Kikina. During his stay, Menon will conduct research aimed at improving semiconductor crystal production for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence systems and advanced medical devices. He will also perform ultrasound procedures using augmented reality and AI, study changes in blood flow in space, and help test bioprinted vascular constructs in microgravity to support research on ageing and future medical treatments. For more than 25 years, the International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence in orbit, serving as a unique laboratory where experiments impossible to perform on Earth can be carried out. The research conducted there continues to contribute to advances in medicine, engineering, biology and materials science, while also helping prepare for future human missions to the Moon and Mars.