Anil Menon, a NASA flight surgeon and SpaceX medical director, is set to embark on a mission to the International Space Station in 2020. He has previously served as an Air Force Reserve member and emergency room doctor. Menon's experience reflects a broader perspective on life in space, spanning NASA, Russia's space program, and the institutional significance of NASA's unique role. He plans to fly aboard the Russian Soyuz crew vehicle, which has been used successfully for decades, and will spend eight months on the station.