Anil Menon creates history; Soyuz MS 29 spacecraft successfully launched

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Soyuz MS-29 was launched to space with three passengers, including Dr Anil Menon, a Malayali. The spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at exactly 8.17 pm. The three will remain in space for the next eight months and will return in April. They will arrive at the International Space Station at 11 pm today. Docking with the station at 11.26 pm. The team will enter the station at 1.25 pm. NASA astronaut Anil is accompanied by Pyotr Dubrov (Mission Commander) and Anna Kikina.

Anil Menon is an Indian American physician, engineer and military officer. Two Russian scientists will also be part of the mission. Anil Menon, who is half Malayali, was born and raised in America. Anil's father, Shankaran Menon, is a native of Ottapalam, Palakkad. Anil is a member of the family of freedom fighters and a prominent Congress leader, Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair. Anil Menon's mother, Elizabeth, is a native of Ukraine.