Dr. Anil Menon’s journey to space today is a masterclass in reinvention. As an emergency medicine physician, mechanical engineer, and US Space Force colonel, he treated patients on the frontlines in Afghanistan and cared for climbers on Mount Everest through the Himalayan Rescue Association.
In 2014, he brought that same expertise to NASA as a flight surgeon, then moved to SpaceX in 2018 as its first-ever flight surgeon, shaping the company’s human spaceflight medical program and contributing to the development of Starship.
Chosen as a NASA astronaut in 2021, Menon is now stepping into a new chapter – becoming the first astronaut of Malayali origin to reach the International Space Station on his debut spaceflight.
The Innovators Jam wishes him success and shares snaphsots of his profile and achievements here:
Who is Anil Menon?
Dr. Anil Menon is a NASA astronaut, emergency medicine physician, and mechanical engineer. Born in Minneapolis to Ukrainian and Indian immigrant parents, he is a colonel in the US Space Force. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in December 2021 and graduated with the 23rd astronaut class in 2024.
When does Anil Menon launch to the International Space Station?
Menon launched on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, lifting off at 10:47 AM EDT (8:17 PM IST).
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Who else will be on the Soyuz MS-29 mission?
Menon flew alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. It was the second spaceflight for both Dubrov and Kikina, and the first for Menon.
Why is Anil Menon’s mission historic?
He is the first astronaut of Malayali origin to travel to the International Space Station, marking a milestone for the Indian-origin community in space exploration.
What did Anil Menon do before becoming an astronaut?
He joined NASA as a flight surgeon in 2014, then joined SpaceX in 2018 as the company’s first-ever flight surgeon, building its medical program and supporting development of Starship. He also served with the US Air Force in Afghanistan and volunteered with the Himalayan Rescue Association, treating climbers on Mount Everest.
How long is Menon’s mission on the ISS?
Approximately eight months, as part of Expedition 74/75, with a planned return to Earth around April 2027.
What research will Menon conduct on the space station?
He’ll work on refining in-space production of semiconductor crystals (for high-performance computing, AI, and medical devices), test AI-assisted ultrasound diagnostics that could reduce the need for medical support from Earth, and check the station’s exterior for signs of microbial life.
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