New York: Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has successfully reached the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, marking the beginning of an eight-month mission focused on scientific research. Menon lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, and the crew docked with the station roughly three hours after launch, according to Space.com. The mission is Menon's first spaceflight and forms part of the continuing operational partnership between NASA and Roscosmos aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Menon previously worked as an emergency physician, engineer, and flight surgeon before joining NASA's astronaut corps. He also served as SpaceX's first-ever flight surgeon before his selection by NASA. His medical background is expected to play a central role in the research assignments planned for his stay aboard the station.
Menon, Dubrov, and Kikina will join the Expedition 74 crew already stationed aboard the ISS, where they are expected to remain for approximately eight months, conducting research, performing maintenance, and supporting ongoing scientific investigations.
