![\"Anil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/a43648-20261020-anilspacewalk-600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nQuick Read<\/p>\n
Astronaut and physician Dr. Anil Menon is currently aboard the International Space Station on his first ever mission into space. The Minnesota native spoke to MPR News from space and answered questions from sixth graders at a St. Paul aerospace school.<\/p>\n
Use the audio player above to listen to the conversation.<\/p>\n
As an 8-year-old in the Twin Cities, Anil Menon remembers exploring the Science Museum of Minnesota. A NASA documentary he saw at the museum\u2019s former IMAX theater about space stuck with him. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was seeing \u2018The Dream Is Alive\u2019 that inspired me to be an astronaut, and it was seeing people doing spacewalks,\u201d Menon shared in an interview this week with MPR News while floating in space. <\/p>\n
Now he\u2019s Dr. Anil Menon, colonel in the United States Space Force, emergency room doctor, and a working NASA astronaut. He launched into space for the first time on July 14 for an eight-month mission. He\u2019s done two spacewalks, and he\u2019ll mark 100 consecutive days in space on Friday. <\/p>\n
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. <\/p>\n
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NASA astronaut Anil Menon conducted his first spacewalk on Aug. 6.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of NASA<\/p>\n
Menon says he went through extensive training to prepare for a spacewalks, including several simulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps us get our brains into a place that we just normalize the most strangest occurrences, like being in space with nothing between you and outer space other than a thin glass visor,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Both spacewalks Menon has done lasted just under 6.5 hours.<\/p>\n
While on board the International Space Station, Menon is using his medical background to conduct medical testing. For example, he is doing ultrasounds on himself to measure blood flow in outer space. Menon hopes the information will help when future astronauts visit the moon and Mars \u201cwithin a decade.\u201d<\/p>\n
St. Paul students ask Menon questions<\/p>\n
Ahead of the interview, MPR News visited Farnsworth Aerospace middle school in St. Paul to ask sixth graders what questions they have for Menon. <\/p>\n
Raelynn, 11, asked if Menon got to bring anything to space. Menon showed off the NASA belt buckle he was wearing to commemorate the country\u2019s 250th anniversary. He also brought a little dog figurine, which served as a zero-gravity indicator as well as a reminder of Menon\u2019s German Shepherd who died this year. Menon also has family photos of his wife and two kids plastered across his room aboard the ISS. <\/p>\n
![\"Kids](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/8b47c5-20261012-farnsworth-class-07-600.jpg\")
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Students gather around a beaker filled with cloudy water during a science class at the Farnsworth Aerospace Upper Campus in St. Paul on Monday, Oct. 12.<\/p>\n
Ben Hovland | MPR News<\/p>\n
Sixth grader Lincoln asked what the most beautiful thing Menon has seen in space. While he\u2019s seen everything from hurricanes to wildfires from above, it\u2019s the northern lights that stand out: \u201cit was like a painting across our atmosphere and sky.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tonight\u2019s amazing aurora after significant solar activity! As seen from station. https:\/\/t.co\/gsn9pSZqOg<\/p>\n