Nasa's Anil Menon, two Russians blast off for 8-month International Space Station mission
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian cosmonauts have launched from Kazakhstan on a Soyuz spacecraft for an eight-month mission to the International Space Station. The crew will conduct scientific research, including studies on the physiological effects of long-duration spaceflight.
Why it matters
This mission highlights ongoing international cooperation in space exploration despite geopolitical tensions and advances research into human health in microgravity.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two Russian cosmonauts on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) lifted off onboard a Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from Kazakhstan on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station.
The Roscosmos spacecraft carrying Mr. Menon and Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome at 8:17 pm IST.
After a two-orbit, three-hour trip to the station, the spacecraft will automatically dock at 11:56 p.m. IST to the Prichal module.
This marks Mr. Menon's first spaceflight and the second flight for the Russian cosmonauts, according to NASA.
Mr. Menon’s family members, including astronaut wife Anna Wilhelm, and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, were at the Baikonur cosmodrome for the spaceflight.
Once aboard, the trio will join 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.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in