- Wednesday, July 16, 2025
NASA astronaut Anil Menon, known for his medical, engineering, and aerospace expertise, will join Expedition 75 aboard the ISS in 2026, becoming the next Indian-American to venture into space after Sunita Williams.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
NASA astronaut Anil Menon is poised to become the next Indian-American to venture into space, following in the footsteps of Sunita Williams.
Selected as part of NASA’s 23rd astronaut class in 2021 and graduating in 2024, Menon is scheduled for his first spaceflight in June 2026. He will serve as a flight engineer and Expedition 75 crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in his already distinguished career.
Early Life and Academic Excellence
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Ukrainian and Indian immigrant parents, Anil Menon’s multicultural heritage and academic achievements set him apart. He graduated from Saint Paul Academy and Summit School in 1995, then earned a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Harvard University.
He continued his studies at Stanford University, obtaining both a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a medical degree. Menon further specialized with residencies in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine, earning board certifications in both fields.
It was worth the wait !!! pic.twitter.com/Btld3jGFsW
— Anil Menon (@astro_anil) September 15, 2024
Diverse and Distinguished Career
Menon’s professional journey is marked by a blend of medicine, engineering, and aerospace. He is a colonel in the United States Space Force and an actively practicing emergency medicine physician.
His early career included serving as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, where he participated in critical care air transport missions and supported military operations, logging over 100 sorties in F-15 fighter jets and transporting more than 100 patients.
As a first responder, Menon provided medical assistance during major disasters, including the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. In 2014, he joined NASA as a flight surgeon, supporting multiple long-duration ISS expeditions and Soyuz missions, and living in Star City, Russia, to gain international space operations experience.
Pioneering Role at SpaceX
In 2018, Menon became SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, playing a vital role in the NASA-SpaceX Demo-2 mission, which launched the first crewed Dragon spacecraft.
He helped build SpaceX’s medical support infrastructure for future human spaceflight, including the historic Inspiration4 mission. His leadership ensured the health and safety of astronauts during both NASA and commercial missions.
Upcoming Mission: Expedition 75
Menon’s first spaceflight is set for June 2026, launching aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. He will be joined by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The trio will spend approximately eight months on the ISS, conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations to advance human space exploration and benefit life on Earth.
Personal Life and Passions
Beyond his professional achievements, Menon is a certified flight instructor with over 1,000 flying hours. He enjoys endurance sports such as Ironman races and backpacking with his family. He is married to Anna Menon, a SpaceX executive, and they have two children.
Menon continues to practice emergency medicine at Memorial Hermann’s Texas Medical Center and mentors medical residents at the University of Texas.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Anil Menon’s journey—from Minneapolis to NASA astronaut and soon-to-be space traveler—exemplifies dedication, expertise, and the power of multicultural heritage.
As he prepares for his historic mission, Menon stands as a role model for aspiring Indian-Americans and space enthusiasts worldwide, reinforcing NASA’s commitment to diversity and the future of human spaceflight
