A Duke graduate NASA astronaut candidate is making headlines as she prepares for the next generation of space exploration.
Anna Menon, a graduate of Duke University, is currently undergoing NASA’s rigorous two-year astronaut training program. The training is designed to prepare candidates for future missions — including potential trips to the moon.
According to WRAL News, Menon is part of NASA’s latest astronaut candidate class and is working through the foundational training phase at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
What Astronaut Training Includes
The Duke graduate NASA astronaut candidate is learning a wide range of critical skills required for human spaceflight. Training includes:
- Spacewalk preparation
- Jet flight training
- International Space Station systems
- Mission operations and procedures
One of the most unique training tools is NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory — a massive pool that allows astronauts to simulate spacewalk conditions underwater.
Menon noted that the facility allows trainees to practice the full sequence of a spacewalk, which can last up to six hours.
Already Experienced in Space
This isn’t Menon’s first time beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The Duke graduate NASA astronaut candidate previously flew aboard SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission, a five-day private spaceflight that launched on September 10, 2024.
She was one of four crew members on that historic mission, giving her valuable real-world experience before entering NASA’s astronaut pipeline.
North Carolina’s Growing Space Legacy
Menon joins a growing list of astronauts with ties to North Carolina universities. Recent examples include astronauts connected to UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University, highlighting the state’s continued role in the future of space exploration.
As the Duke graduate NASA astronaut candidate continues her training, mission assignments could come after the initial two-year preparation period.
Inspiring the Next Generation
At home, Menon says her children are already showing big curiosity about the future. While one currently dreams of becoming a paleontologist, the other wants to pursue multiple careers at once — a reminder that big ambitions often start young.
For students across North Carolina and the Sandhills region, Menon’s journey shows how education, curiosity, and persistence can open doors all the way to space.
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