Astronaut Anil Menon to Undertake First Spacewalk Next Week
- Anil Menon, a NASA astronaut of Indian origin, will perform his first spacewalk next week.
- NASA will provide coverage of the spacewalk and hold a preview news conference.
- Menon recently launched to the ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to step into the void next week for the first time. The space agency confirmed Monday that Menon will conduct his maiden spacewalk, marking a significant milestone in his career.
First Spacewalk for Menon
Menon, who joined NASA's astronaut corps in 2017, will exit the International Space Station (ISS) to perform routine maintenance and upgrades. The exact date and duration of the spacewalk have not been disclosed, but NASA plans to cover the event live.
The spacewalk will be part of a series of three US-led spacewalks scheduled in the coming weeks. NASA has not yet specified which tasks Menon will handle outside the station.
NASA to Host Preview News Conference
Ahead of the spacewalk, NASA will host a preview news conference to brief the media and public. The conference is expected to include details on the objectives, timeline, and safety protocols for the excursion.
Officials will also discuss the crew's readiness and any adjustments to the station's systems. The exact date and time of the briefing have not been announced.
Journey to the ISS
Menon reached the ISS earlier this year aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The launch, which also carried two cosmonauts, was part of a crew rotation mission under NASA's agreement with Roscosmos.
Since arriving, Menon has been involved in scientific experiments and station maintenance. This spacewalk will be his first extravehicular activity, a key requirement for senior astronaut roles.
Menon, a former physician and Air Force officer, has often shared lighthearted glimpses of life in orbit. In a recent social media post, he joked about a "space mystery" involving a floating tool, reflecting the human side of life on the ISS.
What to Watch
NASA will release the exact date and time of the spacewalk closer to the event. The preview news conference is expected to draw significant attention, given Menon's popularity in India and among space enthusiasts worldwide.
If successful, this spacewalk will add to Menon's growing list of achievements and pave the way for future missions, including possible lunar assignments under NASA's Artemis program.