NASA astronaut Anil Menon, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, has successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, increasing the crew size to 10. They are set to be active on the station for approximately two weeks, contributing to ongoing research and missions.
The trio launched aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 10:47 a.m. EDT (7:47 p.m. local time). After completing two three-hour orbits, the spacecraft docked with the ISS’s Prishal module at 1:52 p.m.
Following the planned hatch opening around 4 p.m., the newcomers will receive a warm welcome from the Expedition 74 crew, which includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meyer, Jack Hathaway, and Chris Williams, as well as European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev, and Andrei Fezyaev.
Tune into NASA’s live broadcast of the hatch opening, which will commence at 3:30 p.m. on the 15th. You can catch the stream on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. Find out how to access NASA content across various online channels, including social media.
During his time on the ISS, Menon will engage in scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration while benefiting life on Earth. His research focuses on improving the production of semiconductor crystals in space, which is essential for the mass manufacturing of components for high-performance computers, artificial intelligence technologies, and advanced medical devices. Menon is also conducting an ultrasound test that uses augmented reality and artificial intelligence techniques, potentially reducing the need for Earth-based medical support on future space missions. Additionally, he will serve as a test subject to help researchers understand how blood flow is affected in space, ensuring the protection of future astronauts. Furthermore, he plans to investigate bioprinted vascular structures in a microgravity environment to gain insights into the aging process and accelerate treatment development.
Expedition 75 is anticipated to commence on Sunday, July 26, following the departure of astronauts Williams, Kud-Sverchkov, and Mikayev, who will be concluding an eight-month scientific mission aboard the orbiting research facility.
Watch the live change of command ceremony as the ISS command transitions from Kud-Sverchkov to Meir on Saturday, July 25, at 9:40 a.m. on NASA+.
Learn more about the International Space Station, its crew, ongoing research, and operational details below.
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Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
[email protected] / [email protected]
Sandra Jones
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
[email protected]
Source: www.nasa.gov