NASA has announced that astronaut Anil Menon will embark on his inaugural mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2026. Menon, who will serve as a flight engineer and part of the Expedition 75 crew, will be accompanied by Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The trio is set to launch aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for an eight-month mission. During his time aboard the ISS, Menon will engage in scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and benefiting life on Earth. His mission will contribute to NASA’s goals of preparing for deep-space expeditions, including future human missions to the Moon and Mars, as part of the Artemis campaign. Menon was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021 and graduated with the 23rd astronaut class in 2024. With a diverse background as an emergency medicine physician, mechanical engineer, and colonel in the United States Space Force, Menon brings a wealth of expertise to his upcoming mission. His previous roles include serving as SpaceX’s first flight surgeon and contributing to the successful launch of the crewed Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission. The International Space Station has been a continuous hub for scientific research and innovation for nearly 25 years, playing a pivotal role in the future of human spaceflight. As NASA continues to explore commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit, the Space Station remains integral to humanity’s quest for knowledge and discovery in space. Post navigation NASA Launches Fourth Private Mission