NASA astronaut Anil Menon launched Tuesday aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, heading to the International Space Station (ISS). M enon is joined by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina for the mission, which is the first spaceflight for Menon and the second for the Russian cosmonauts.
The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS around 1:56 p.m. ET on the same day.
Upon arrival, Menon, Dubrov, and Kikina will join the Expedition 74 crew, which includes three NASA astronauts, one European Space Agency astronaut, and three cosmonauts. The current crew has been conducting scientific experiments aboard the station.
The mission for Menon, Dubrov, and Kikina is expected to last approximately eight months, with a planned return to Earth in April 2027.
During his time on the ISS, Menon will engage in scientific research and technology demonstrations designed to advance human space exploration and benefit life on Earth. According to NASA, his work will include research into the production of semiconductor crystals in space, as well as testing augmented reality and artificial intelligence tools for medical support in orbit.
Menon will also serve as a test subject to help researchers understand the effects of space on blood flow, aiding in the protection of future astronauts. Additionally, he will test the bioprinting of vascular constructs in microgravity to improve the understanding of the aging process and advance therapeutic developments.