Meet Anil Menon, NASA astronaut who will spend 8 months aboard space station: All about the Indian-origin doctor who once served in Afghanistan

Indian-American NASA astronaut Anil Menon has officially arrived at the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic milestone as the first NASA astronaut of Malayali descent to travel to space. Menon, along with Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, reached the orbiting laboratory aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft after a journey of just over three hours from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The trio will spend around eight months aboard the ISS, where they will carry out scientific experiments designed to advance human space exploration and improve technologies that could benefit life on Earth. From researching the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body to testing new medical and manufacturing technologies, Menon's mission is expected to contribute to future journeys to the Moon and Mars.

Anil Menon arrives at the ISS aboard Soyuz MS-29

The Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 8:17 pm IST on Tuesday, carrying Menon, Dubrov and Kikina to the International Space Station.


After reaching orbit, the spacecraft completed a fast-track rendezvous with the ISS and docked at the station's Prichal module at 11:52 pm IST. Following routine safety checks and pressure equalisation, the crew entered the station in the early hours of Wednesday (India time), where they were welcomed with hugs and handshakes by the astronauts already on board.

This is Anil Menon's first journey into space, while it marks the second spaceflight for both Dubrov and Kikina.

Who is Anil Menon?

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Anil Menon is an emergency medicine physician, aerospace medicine specialist and a Colonel in the United States Space Force.

His father, K. P. Shankaran Menon, belongs to Ottapalam in Kerala's Palakkad district, while his mother, Elizabeth, emigrated from Ukraine to the United States. Menon's mission has drawn particular attention in India as he becomes the first NASA astronaut of Malayali heritage to travel to space.

Beyond his medical career, Menon also has strong links with India. He spent a year in the country as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, supporting polio vaccination initiatives while studying public health.

From Afghanistan to Mount Everest

As per a PTI report, long before becoming an astronaut, Menon built an extraordinary career across some of the world's most demanding environments.

During his service with the US Air Force, he worked on the frontlines in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, providing emergency medical care in combat conditions.

He also volunteered with the Himalayan Rescue Association, treating climbers at high altitude on Mount Everest, gaining extensive experience in wilderness and expedition medicine.

Academically, Menon studied neurobiology at Harvard University before earning both a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a medical degree from Stanford University. He later specialised in emergency and aerospace medicine.

His journey from NASA to SpaceX and back

Menon joined NASA in 2014 as a flight surgeon, where he worked closely with astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station.

In 2018, he moved to SpaceX, establishing the company's medical programme and helping prepare its first human spaceflights. He also contributed to the development of Starship, the fully reusable spacecraft designed for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

NASA selected Menon as part of its astronaut class in December 2021, after which he completed nearly two years of astronaut training before receiving his first flight assignment.

Space exploration also runs in his family. His wife, Anna Wilhelm, flew into orbit during SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission in 2024.

What scientific research will Anil Menon conduct on the ISS?

During his eight-month mission, Menon will participate in several scientific investigations aimed at improving healthcare in space and advancing technologies needed for future deep-space exploration.

One of his primary research areas involves studying how prolonged exposure to microgravity affects the human body. Scientists will examine changes in blood flow, vein structure and blood composition to better understand the physiological challenges astronauts face during extended missions.

The findings could help improve astronaut health on future expeditions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Testing new medical technology in orbit

Menon will also help evaluate innovative medical technologies that could prove essential during long-duration missions.

Among the key experiments is a system designed to produce intravenous (IV) fluids using the ISS's potable water supply. If successful, astronauts could generate emergency medical supplies during future missions without relying entirely on cargo deliveries from Earth.

He will also conduct ultrasound investigations using augmented reality and artificial intelligence, technologies that may eventually allow astronauts to diagnose and treat medical conditions independently without direct support from specialists on Earth.

Advancing semiconductor manufacturing in space

Another important objective of the mission is improving the production of high-quality semiconductor crystals in microgravity.

Researchers believe the unique conditions aboard the ISS could enable more efficient manufacturing of advanced semiconductor materials used in high-performance computers, artificial intelligence systems and next-generation medical devices.

If successful, the research could have applications not only for future space missions but also for industries on Earth.

Eight-month mission before returning to Earth

Menon, Dubrov and Kikina are expected to remain aboard the International Space Station until April 2027.

During Expedition 74, they will join fellow crew members from NASA, the European Space Agency and Roscosmos in conducting hundreds of scientific investigations across biology, medicine, physics, Earth observation and technology development.

Inputs from agencies