NASA astronaut Anil Menon is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft on July 14, marking his first journey to space. He will be joined by Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina for an approximately eight-month mission supporting scientific research and technology demonstrations in low Earth orbit.

The Soyuz MS-29 mission will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 10:47 a.m. EDT (7:47 p.m. local time). After a planned three-hour, two-orbit flight, the spacecraft is expected to dock automatically with the ISS at the Prichal module at 1:56 p.m. EDT. NASA will provide live coverage of the launch, docking and hatch opening through NASA+, Amazon Prime and the agency's YouTube channel.

Mission Strengthens International Space Station Research

After arriving at the orbital laboratory, Menon, Dubrov and Kikina will join the Expedition 74 crew, which includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev and Andrey Fedyaev.

The three crew members are expected to remain aboard the ISS until April 2027 as part of Expeditions 74 and 75. The mission represents Menon's first spaceflight, while it will be the second mission for both Dubrov and Kikina.

Research Focus Includes AI, Medicine And Advanced Manufacturing

During his stay aboard the ISS, Menon will conduct experiments aimed at advancing future human space exploration and developing technologies with potential benefits on Earth. His research includes improving semiconductor crystal production in microgravity for next-generation electronics, studying ultrasound techniques using augmented reality and artificial intelligence, and investigating how blood circulation changes during long-duration spaceflight.

He will also participate in research on bioprinting vascular tissue in microgravity to improve scientific understanding of aging and support future medical therapies.

The International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence for more than 25 years. NASA says research conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory continues to support scientific discovery, commercial innovation and preparations for future Artemis missions to the Moon and eventual human exploration of Mars.