Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has launched on his first space mission aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft for an eight-month stay at the International Space Station. He will conduct medical and technology experiments, including studies on human adaptation to microgravity, supporting future deep-space missions to the Moon and Mars.

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his maiden space mission, launching aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft for an eight-month expedition to the International Space Station (ISS).

The spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 pm on Tuesday, carrying Menon alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. While it marks Menon's first journey into space, Dubrov and Kikina are both undertaking their second missions. The Soyuz spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS just over three hours after launch.

During their stay aboard the orbital laboratory, the three crew members will conduct a series of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations before returning to Earth in 2027.

Menon's mission will focus on research aimed at improving human spaceflight. He is expected to participate in studies examining how the human body responds to prolonged exposure to microgravity, including investigations into blood circulation, vein structure and blood composition. He will also help evaluate a system designed to produce intravenous fluids from the station's drinking water, a technology that could support future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.