Anna Menon, who is married to Indian American astronaut Anil Menon, is among NASA’s 10 new astronaut candidates announced Monday following a competitive selection process of more than 8,000 applicants from across the United States.
The class now will complete nearly two years of training before becoming eligible for flight assignments supporting future science and exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars.
Menon, 39, previously worked in the Mission Control Center at NASA Johnson, supporting medical hardware and software aboard the International Space Station.
In 2024, Menon flew to space as a mission specialist and medical officer aboard SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn. The mission saw a new female altitude record, the first commercial spacewalk, and the completion of approximately 40 research experiments. At the time of her selection, Menon was a senior engineer at SpaceX.
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She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University with a double major in mathematics and Spanish. She also holds a master’s in biomedical engineering from Duke University.
Menon was born in Houston and considers it her hometown. Her parents also reside in Houston. She is married to NASA astronaut Anil Menon, and the couple has two children. Menon enjoys hiking, scuba diving, running, flying, salsa dancing, photography, and spending time with her family.
She dedicates time to public service and volunteering. Immediately after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, Menon supported the World Health Organization’s water and sanitation response. She also has volunteered with the Engineers Without Borders and Engineering World Health organizations.
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Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy welcomed the all-American 2025 astronaut candidate class during a ceremony at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
“I’m honored to welcome the next generation of American explorers to our agency! More than 8,000 people applied – scientists, pilots, engineers, dreamers from every corner of this nation. The 10 men and women sitting here today embody the truth that in America, regardless of where you start, there is no limit to what a determined dreamer can achieve – even going to space,” said Duffy. “Together, we’ll unlock the Golden Age of exploration.”
After graduation, the 2025 class will join the agency’s active astronaut corps. Active astronauts are conducting science research aboard the space station while preparing for the transition to commercial space stations and the next great leaps in human exploration at the Moon and Mars.