{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Indian-Origin Astronaut Anil Menon Blasts Off Aboard Soyuz for His First Trip to the ISS",
  "summary": "NASA astronaut Anil Menon, who is of Indian origin, launched aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft on his first spaceflight and will spend around eight months conducting research on the International Space Station.",
  "content": "NASA astronaut Anil Menon, who is of Indian origin, has launched on his first spaceflight aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, heading to the International Space Station for a research mission expected to last around eight months, including studies on how microgravity affects the human body.\n\nLaunch from Kazakhstan\nThe spacecraft lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday night at around 8:17 pm. Menon was joined on board by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The flight marks a second spaceflight for both Dubrov and Kikina, while it is the first time Menon has left Earth for space.\n\n \n\nDocking with the station in just over three hours\nThe Soyuz spacecraft is set to dock with the orbital laboratory, the International Space Station, a little more than three hours after launch. Once docked, the three crew members will join the rest of the station's crew to begin their work.\n\nEight months of research, return expected in 2027\nMenon, Dubrov and Kikina are expected to spend close to eight months aboard the space station carrying out scientific research and technology experiments, including studying the effects of microgravity, extremely low gravity conditions, on the human body. The three are expected to return to Earth in 2027.\n\nA milestone for an Indian-origin astronaut\nSince Menon is of Indian origin and this is his first spaceflight, the mission is being viewed as a notable milestone for people of Indian origin as well. For NASA, the mission forms part of an ongoing long-duration research programme aboard the ISS, where astronauts from different countries work together.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis news does not directly affect everyday finances or routines, but it matters to anyone following space science and research.\n\n• For space and science followers: The mission will generate data on how microgravity affects the human body, useful for planning future long-duration space missions.\n• For the Indian-origin community: Menon's flight, being of Indian origin, is being seen as a source of pride and inspiration.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Who is Anil Menon?\nAnil Menon is a NASA astronaut of Indian origin who is on his first spaceflight.\n\n2. Which spacecraft did Anil Menon launch on?\nHe launched aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft.\n\n3. Where did the launch take place?\nThe launch took place from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.\n\n4. Who else traveled with him?\nRussian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina traveled with him, for whom this is a second mission.\n\n5. How long will the mission last?\nThe mission is expected to last around eight months, with a return to Earth expected in 2027.\n\n6. When will the Soyuz dock with the ISS?\nIt is set to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch.\n\n7. What will the astronauts do on the station?\nThey will carry out scientific research and technology experiments, including studying the effects of microgravity on the human body.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/science/soyuja-yana-se-antariksha-ravana-hue-bharatavnshi-anil-menon-atha-mahine-taka-iss-para-karenge-shodha-7689",
  "category": "Science",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-14",
  "tags": [
    "Anil Menon",
    "Soyuz MS-29",
    "International Space Station",
    "NASA",
    "Baikonur Cosmodrome",
    "microgravity research"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}