Who Is Anil Menon? NASA Astronaut Completes Fourth Spacewalk, Ranks Behind Sunita Williams

Anil Menon, NASA Astronaut, performed his fourth spacewalk on October 29, 2026, with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk. This spacewalk was the 100th US spacewalk at the ISS and was for the installation of a roll out solar array. This spacewalk brings Menon one step closer to beating the spacewalk record held by Indian-origin NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams with a total of nine spacewalks. Menon has an educational background in medicine, engineering, aviation, military, and human spaceflight operations.

Who is Anil Menon?

Anil Menon is American citizen of Indian-Ukrainian descent, is a NASA astronaut. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Indian/Ukrainian parents.

NASA selected him as an astronaut candidate in 2021. He entered active service in 2022 and completed initial astronaut training.

Anil Menon is married (Annalena Menon is his wife) and has two children. Before becoming an astronaut, he worked in medicine.

Anil Menon and Sunita Williams: EVA Records

Menon’s fourth EVA puts him behind Sunita Williams in ranking among astronauts of Indian origin in the number of EVAs undertaken by them.

Astronaut	Number of EVAs	Total EVA time
Sunita Williams	9	62 hours 6 minutes
Anil Menon	4	19 hours 20 minutes prior to October 29, 2026, EVA

The data provided for the EVA time of Menon’s in the above report is in reference to his time in space before his fourth EVA.

A spacewalk is an activity formally known as Extravehicular Activity (EVA). An EVA occurs when an astronaut performs duties in outer space while dressed in a spacesuit.

Fourth Spacewalk of Anil Menon: Objectives of the Spacewalk

On 29th October, 2026 Anil Menon conducted the spacewalk with the Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk. This spacewalk was categorized as the 100th US spacewalk at the International Space Station.

The primary task was to install a new roll-out solar array on the space station.

Solar arrays are a source of electrical energy obtained from converting sunlight using photovoltaic cells. Solar arrays provide electrical energy for various functions such as life support system and communications equipment among others in the International Space Station.

Spacewalks help the astronauts work on the external equipment that cannot be fixed from inside the space station.

Educational Background and Credentials of Anil Menon

The education of Menon involves the fields of neuroscience, mechanical engineering, medicine and public health.

Year	Institution Education/Credential
1999	Harvard University Bachelor’s degree in the Neurobiology
2004	Stanford University Master’s degree in the Mechanical Engineering
2006	Stanford Medical School Medical degree
2009	Stanford University Residency in Emergency Medicine
2010	Fellowship in Wilderness Medicine
2012	University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Residency in Aerospace Medicine and Master’s in Public Health

At Harvard, Menon was involved in studying Huntington’s disease. Menon was also involved in polio vaccinations in India for one year as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.

Military Service and Medical Practice in Extreme Environments.

Menon has acquired military experience and worked in adverse environments medically.

During his emergency medicine residency, he joined the California Air National Guard. Eventually, he went to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Previously, he supported climbers in Mount Everest by participating with the Himalayan Rescue Association.

He served twice in the military during his aeromedical training with the Critical Care Air Transport Team of the US Air Force. The team serves to perform medical practices as well as to transport wounded individuals.

Flight Experience and Awards

Menon has a license as a flight instructor and he has been a pilot for over 1,000 flying hours.

Some of his other awards and recognitions are,

• US Air Force Commendation Medal.
• William K. Douglas Award in Aerospace Medicine.
• Theodore Lyster Award.
• Stanford Emergency Medicine Resident Award for Procedural Excellence.
• Stanford Emergency Medicine Residency Bedside Teaching Award.
• Hoopes Prize from Harvard University for an exceptional undergraduate thesis.

Menon’s professional interests also include endurance sports like Ironman races, the Kokoro program, and family backpacking expeditions.