- NASA has set coverage for astronaut Anil Menon's launch to the International Space Station on July 14 aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft.
- Menon will launch at 10:47 a.m. EDT (7:47 p.m. Baikonur time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
- During his eight-month mission, Menon will conduct research on the physiological impacts of long-duration spaceflight and microgravity on astronauts.
- Menon will be joined by cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as part of the Expedition 74 crew.
- NASA's coverage schedule includes launch coverage beginning at 9:45 a.m., with docking coverage starting at 1:10 p.m. and hatch opening coverage at 3:30 p.m. on the same day.
- Menon, a physician and US Space Force colonel, has a diverse background including service in Afghanistan and polio vaccination efforts in India.
- His mission will involve critical research on medical technologies and advanced materials crucial for future space exploration.
- Menon will conduct experiments to study the physiological toll of long-duration spaceflight and examine how microgravity affects blood flow, vein structure, and blood composition in astronauts.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon is scheduled to launch aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft on July 14 at 10:47 a.m. EDT from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This mission marks Menon's first spaceflight, while it is the second for cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.124
During his eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Menon will conduct critical research on the physiological impacts of long-duration spaceflight and microgravity on astronauts. His work will include experiments on blood flow, vein structure, and blood composition in microgravity, which are essential for understanding human health in space.38
Menon will also test technologies for in-space production of intravenous fluids, a capability that could be vital for future deep-space missions where medical supplies are limited. Additionally, he will refine the production of semiconductor crystals for high-performance computers and medical devices, and develop AI-powered ultrasound technologies to reduce reliance on Earth-based medical support.
NASA's coverage of the launch will begin at 9:45 a.m. EDT, with the spacecraft expected to dock with the ISS at 1:56 p.m. and hatch opening scheduled for 3:55 p.m. Menon, Dubrov, and Kikina will join the Expedition 74 crew, which includes astronauts from NASA and ESA, and will return to Earth in April 2027.5
“Anil Menon, a physician and US Space Force colonel, will conduct critical research on the physiological impacts of long-duration spaceflight during his eight-month mission. His work includes testing technologies for in-space production of intravenous fluids and developing AI-powered ultrasound to reduce reliance on Earth-based medical support.”
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