NASA astronaut Anil Menon, two others reach International Space Station
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian cosmonauts successfully docked with the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft. The crew will spend eight months conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations.
Why it matters
This mission represents continued international cooperation in space exploration despite geopolitical tensions.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian cosmonauts reached the International Space Station with hugs and handshakes in the early hours of Wednesday (July 15, 2026) onboard Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft after a little over three-hour journey.
The Roscosmos spacecraft carrying Mr. Menon and Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina lifted off from Baikonur at 8:17 pm IST on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) just as the orbital laboratory flew over the cosmodrome.
After an eight-minute climb to the preliminary orbit, the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft began a nearly three-hour chase to the International Space Station to dock at the Prichal module at 11:52 p.m. (IST).
The astronaut then began a series of checks in the spacecraft and the space station before opening the hatch at about 2:00 a.m. (IST).
This marks Mr. Menon's first spaceflight and the second flight for the Russian cosmonauts, according to NASA.
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