Who is Anil Menon? NASA astronaut on fourth spacewalk joins Sunita Williams among Indian-origin spacewalkers

NASA astronaut Anil Menon embarks on his fourth spacewalk alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The mission will mark the 100th spacewalk aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as the pair work to install a new solar array on the orbiting laboratory.

Menon, who has a background in medicine, aeromedicine and human spaceflight, builds on his experience as an astronaut after previously working as a flight surgeon for NASA and SpaceX.

With his fourth spacewalk, Menon ranks behind veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams among astronauts of Indian origin in terms of number of spacewalks. Williams completed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and six minutes, while Menon completed three spacewalks prior to the October 29 mission, totaling 19 hours and 20 minutes.

The latest mission is part of the ongoing maintenance and modernization of the ISS, where spacewalks are used to install equipment, repair systems and improve the orbiting laboratory’s capabilities.

Former SpaceX flight surgeon with over 1,000 hours as a pilot

NASA Astronaut Anil Menon has experience in medicine, engineering, aeronautics and human spaceflight. Before joining NASA’s astronaut corps, Menon worked as a flight surgeon for both NASA and SpaceX, helping prepare crews for missions and developing medical systems to support astronauts in space.

According to Menon’s official biography on the NASA website, he was selected for the agency’s Astronaut Candidate Class 2021 and reported for duty in January 2022. He then completed initial astronaut training to prepare for space missions.

Menon was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Ukrainian and Indian immigrants. He is married to Anna Menon and the couple has two children.

Anil Menon’s role at NASA and SpaceX

According to NASA, Menon began working as a NASA flight surgeon in 2014. He supported long-duration crews of the International Space Station, serving as deputy crew surgeon for the Soyuz 39 and 43 missions and as chief crew surgeon for Soyuz 52.

As part of NASA’s Human Health and Performance Directorate, Menon also worked on the station’s health maintenance system and the development of direct return aircraft. His work included more than six months spent in Star City, Russia, supporting space flight operations.

In 2018, Menon joined SpaceX, where he founded the company’s medical program and helped prepare its first crewed missions. A NASA biography says he served as lead flight surgeon on five launches and was involved in the company’s research program, private astronaut missions and starship development.

Menon also helped support SpaceX’s Demo-2 mission, which carried the company’s first astronauts to the International Space Station.

In addition to his spaceflight work, Menon maintained his clinical experience by practicing in trauma centers. His research has resulted in more than 20 scientific publications on emergency medicine and space medicine, according to NASA.

Anil Menon’s Education and Qualifications

Menon’s academic background combines neuroscience, engineering and medicine. He graduated from Saint Paul Academy and Summit School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1995, according to his NASA biography.

He received a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Harvard University in 1999 and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University in 2004. He received his medical degree in 2006 from Stanford University School of Medicine.

Menon subsequently completed a residency in emergency medicine at Stanford University in 2009 and an internship in wilderness medicine in 2010. In 2012, he completed a residency in aviation medicine and a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

He is board certified in emergency medicine and aviation medicine.

At Harvard, Menon studied neurobiology and conducted research on Huntington’s disease. He later spent a year in India as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, working to support polio vaccination efforts.

During his medical and aviation training, he also worked on soft tissue modeling at NASA’s Ames Research Center and gained experience in emergency medicine and wilderness medicine.

Military service and medical work in extreme environments

Menon’s career included military service and medical support in challenging environments.

He joined the California Air National Guard during his residency in emergency medicine, according to NASA. He later deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and worked with the Himalayan Rescue Association, providing medical care to climbers on Mount Everest.

During his training in aviation medicine, Menon also deployed twice with the US Air Force Critical Care Airlift Team to treat and transport injured military personnel.

He subsequently served in Air Force units involved in medical support during space flight launches and landings.

These experiences contributed to his background in emergency response, aviation medicine and the medical challenges associated with human spaceflight.

Anil Menon’s flying experiences and hobbies

Menon is a certified flight instructor and has more than 1,000 hours as a pilot, according to his NASA resume.

In addition to his professional duties, he enjoys endurance events, including Ironman and Kokoro races, as well as traveling with his family.

His interests in aviation and endurance activities complement a career that has included demanding medical work, military service and training for space exploration.

Awards and recognition

Menon received several awards and honors during his academic, medical and military career. These include the US Air Force Commendation Medal, the William K. Douglas Award in Aerospace Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch, and the Theodore Lyster Award.

His other honors include the Stanford Emergency Medicine Resident Award for Procedural Excellence, the Stanford Emergency Medicine Residency Bedside Teaching Award, and the Hoopes Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis at Harvard.

Menon’s career reflects a combination of clinical medicine, aeronautical research, aviation and operational experience. His selection into NASA’s astronaut corps followed years of work promoting the health and safety of crews preparing for and undertaking human spaceflight missions.

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