NASA Sets Coverage for Astronaut Anil Menon Launch to Space Station
NASA astronaut Anil Menon will launch to the International Space Station on July 14 aboard a Roscosmos Soyuz spacecraft, marking his first spaceflight alongside cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon is scheduled to lift off aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft on Tuesday, July 14, at 10:47 a.m. EDT from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He will be joined by cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, who are both making their second spaceflight. The trio will travel to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 74, where they will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations during their eight-month stay.
Live coverage of the launch, docking, and hatch opening will be available on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and NASA’s YouTube channel. Launch coverage begins at 9:45 a.m., rendezvous and docking coverage starts at 1:10 p.m., and hatch opening and welcome coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. The Soyuz spacecraft is scheduled to dock at 1:56 p.m. EDT to the station’s Prichal module following a three-hour journey.
During his mission, Menon will participate in research aimed at advancing human space exploration and improving life on Earth. His work includes refining in-space production of semiconductor crystals for high-performance computing and medical devices. He will also test ultrasound techniques using augmented reality and artificial intelligence, which could reduce reliance on Earth-based medical support in future missions.
Menon will study how blood flow is affected in microgravity to protect astronaut health and test bioprinting vascular constructs to advance therapeutic developments. The International Space Station has hosted continuous human presence for over 25 years, supporting scientific breakthroughs and preparing for future missions to the Moon and Mars under NASA’s Artemis program.