Anil Menon, a NASA astronaut of Indian origin, is scheduled to begin an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
During his stay aboard the ISS, he will carry out several scientific investigations focused on understanding the effects of prolonged space travel on the human body, including how microgravity influences blood circulation, vein structure, and blood composition.
When you start spinning in this chair, you know that you’re moving to your left and when you stop spinning, what do you think you feel? Answer in comments. 6 days to launch! pic.twitter.com/534ixZDL3P
— Anil Menon (@astro_anil) July 8, 2026
Menon will also participate in testing new technologies that can generate intravenous (IV) fluids using the station’s drinking water system. This innovation could prove essential for future deep-space missions, where access to medical supplies will be limited.
Moreover, he will advance research on manufacturing semiconductor crystals in space, with the goal of enabling large-scale production of high-quality components for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced medical technologies.
Menon will also conduct ultrasound studies using augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to develop medical capabilities that could reduce or even eliminate the need for assistance from Earth during future deep-space missions.
