Watch: Moment Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon launches to space from Russia
Anil Menon has launched aboard Soyuz MS-29 on his first mission to the International Space Station. Watch the historic liftoff and know what he will do during his eight-month stay in orbit.
Indian-origin Nasa astronaut Anil Menon blasted off on his first journey to space on Tuesday evening, marking a major milestone in his career as the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 pm IST.
Watch the moment Menon made history:
The Soyuz rocket carried Menon alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS), where the trio will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing future human space exploration.
The flawless launch marked Menon's first trip beyond Earth after years of serving as a physician, engineer and Nasa astronaut. He was selected as part of Nasa's 2021 astronaut class and previously worked as a flight surgeon for both Nasa and SpaceX.
DOCKING WITH ISS JUST HOURS AWAY
Following liftoff, the Soyuz spacecraft began a fast-track journey to the orbiting laboratory.
Nasa expects the spacecraft to automatically dock with the ISS at around 11:56 pm IST, a little over three hours after launch, at the station's Prichal module.
Hatch opening is scheduled for approximately 1:25 am IST on Wednesday, when the three astronauts will officially join the Expedition 74 and Expedition 75 crews living aboard the space station.
Once aboard, Menon and his crewmates will spend nearly eight months carrying out dozens of experiments before returning to Earth in April 2027.
WHAT WILL MENON DO IN SPACE?
During his stay on the ISS, Menon will work on a series of medical and technology experiments designed to improve long-duration human spaceflight while also benefiting healthcare on Earth.
His research includes studying blood flow in microgravity, testing ultrasound systems powered by augmented reality and artificial intelligence that could reduce dependence on doctors on Earth, refining the production of semiconductor crystals in space, and evaluating bioprinting techniques that may advance treatments for age-related diseases.
Born to Indian and Ukrainian parents, Menon is a physician, engineer and emergency medicine specialist. Before becoming an astronaut, he served as a flight surgeon supporting Nasa missions and SpaceX's first human spaceflights.
Menon's first voyage to space also highlights the continued cooperation between Nasa and Roscosmos, with the United States and Russia continuing joint missions to the ISS despite geopolitical tensions.
Indian-origin Nasa astronaut Anil Menon blasted off on his first journey to space on Tuesday evening, marking a major milestone in his career as the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 pm IST.
Watch the moment Menon made history:
The Soyuz rocket carried Menon alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS), where the trio will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing future human space exploration.
The flawless launch marked Menon's first trip beyond Earth after years of serving as a physician, engineer and Nasa astronaut. He was selected as part of Nasa's 2021 astronaut class and previously worked as a flight surgeon for both Nasa and SpaceX.
DOCKING WITH ISS JUST HOURS AWAY
Following liftoff, the Soyuz spacecraft began a fast-track journey to the orbiting laboratory.
Nasa expects the spacecraft to automatically dock with the ISS at around 11:56 pm IST, a little over three hours after launch, at the station's Prichal module.
Hatch opening is scheduled for approximately 1:25 am IST on Wednesday, when the three astronauts will officially join the Expedition 74 and Expedition 75 crews living aboard the space station.
Once aboard, Menon and his crewmates will spend nearly eight months carrying out dozens of experiments before returning to Earth in April 2027.
WHAT WILL MENON DO IN SPACE?
During his stay on the ISS, Menon will work on a series of medical and technology experiments designed to improve long-duration human spaceflight while also benefiting healthcare on Earth.
His research includes studying blood flow in microgravity, testing ultrasound systems powered by augmented reality and artificial intelligence that could reduce dependence on doctors on Earth, refining the production of semiconductor crystals in space, and evaluating bioprinting techniques that may advance treatments for age-related diseases.
Born to Indian and Ukrainian parents, Menon is a physician, engineer and emergency medicine specialist. Before becoming an astronaut, he served as a flight surgeon supporting Nasa missions and SpaceX's first human spaceflights.
Menon's first voyage to space also highlights the continued cooperation between Nasa and Roscosmos, with the United States and Russia continuing joint missions to the ISS despite geopolitical tensions.
