Indian-Origin Astronaut Anil Menon Takes Off For 8-Month ISS Mission; What He Will Do During Expedition

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has begun his first journey to ISS space, blasting off for an 8-month ISS mission on Tuesday. The Russian Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft lifted off at 8:17 PM from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and is expected to dock with the orbiting laboratory a little over three hours after launch.

After reaching orbit, the spacecraft is expected to carry out a spacecraft docking with the ISS approximately three hours after liftoff. Once pressure checks and safety procedures are completed, the hatches between the Soyuz spacecraft and the station will be opened, allowing the crew to enter their new home in orbit.

Proud to serve the United States Space Force and fly to the International Space Station today in support of NASA and our international partners! pic.twitter.com/R286FUbJ2P

— Anil Menon (@astro_anil) July 14, 2026

According to the Times of India report, the crew is expected to spend around eight months aboard the ISS, supporting a wide range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing future human spaceflight while contributing to research with practical applications on Earth.

All You Need To About Russian Soyuz MS-29 Mission

Who is Anil Menon?

The 49-year-old Anil Menon is an Indian-origin astronaut born in Minneapolis to parents of Indian and Ukrainian origin. This mission marks his first journey into space after years of service in medicine, aerospace, and the military.

( ANIL MENON: Image Credits: X/ NASA )

Before joining NASA's astronaut corps, Menon built a distinguished career in emergency medicine, gaining operational experience in challenging environments. As a physician, he treated patients in hospitals as well as in remote mountain regions through the Himalayan Rescue Association, where he cared for climbers in the Everest region.

Excited to launch aboard Soyuz MS-29 from Kazakhstan and begin an eight-month mission supporting NASA and Expedition 74/75. Grateful for the NASA community, friends, family, and loved ones and excited for tomorrow - tune in July 14th 9:43 am central time. Photo credit: Robert… pic.twitter.com/DdPLlmMEGo

— Anil Menon (@astro_anil) July 13, 2026

Menon also serves as a colonel in the US Space Force. Before that, he served in the US Air Force and was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. His combined experience in medicine, aviation and military operations laid the foundation for his selection as a NASA astronaut.

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What will Menon do during the expedition?

Menon is the only first-time space traveller on the Soyuz MS-29 crew. He is joined by Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov, who is on his second spaceflight, and Anna Kikina, who is also making her second journey into orbit.

During his eight-month expedition, Menon will support a broad range of scientific experiments covering semiconductor manufacturing, space medicine, blood circulation in microgravity and bioprinting technologies, while also assisting with the station's routine scientific operations.

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He will take part in research aimed at understanding how the human body adapts to prolonged exposure to microgravity. Scientists will study changes in blood flow, vein structure and blood composition and more.

His mission will focus on microgravity experiments which aim to improve space health, ageing understanding, and Earth therapies.