Aerospace Engineer & Astronaut; Mission Specialist on Polaris Dawn; Former Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX
Anna Menon Biography
Anna Menon is an engineer, astronaut, and children's book author with a career spanning service at NASA and SpaceX. Menon earned a bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, double majoring in mathematics and Spanish, and holds a master's degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University. Before joining SpaceX, Menon worked at NASA as a biomedical flight controller for the International Space Station, supporting crews from mission control, integrating international partner engineers and medical care, and leading the planning and execution of biomedical operations for Expedition 47/48.
Menon joined SpaceX as lead space operations engineer and mission director, where she led the implementation of Dragon's crew capabilities, helped establish the crew communicator operator role, and developed operational responses to vehicle emergencies such as fire or cabin depressurization. She served in mission control during multiple Dragon missions, including Demo-2, Crew-1, CRS-22, CRS-23, Crew-3, Crew-4, and Axiom-1.
As mission specialist and medical officer on the Polaris Dawn voyage, Menon participated in a five-day journey that included the first commercial spacewalk. The mission reached a maximum altitude of 870 miles, farther from Earth than any crewed spaceflight since the Apollo era. Menon and crewmate Sarah Gillis flew higher than any woman previously. The mission also completed approximately 40 research experiments. Menon has received awards including the Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award, the Swigert Award for Space Exploration, and the Duke University Distinguished Young Alumni Award.
In addition to her engineering and spaceflight work, Menon contributed to the Polaris Dawn mission as a children's book author. While aboard the spacecraft, she delivered a reading of her book "Kisses from Space," which was transmitted to young patients at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and to her own children. Menon co-authored the book with Keri Vasek, with illustrations by Emmy Award-winning animator Andy Harkness. Proceeds from the book supported St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Menon was selected as part of NASA's 24th astronaut class, becoming the first candidate with prior spaceflight experience. The class consists of five men and five women training for potential missions to commercial space stations in Earth orbit, at the moon, and potentially on Mars. Menon's career highlights the intersection of aerospace engineering, human spaceflight, and science communication.
Anna Menon Videos
Anna Menon - Polaris Dawn
This video presentation offers an exclusive look at the preparation, launch, and objectives of the Polaris Dawn mission, showcasing the unparalleled...
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Anna Menon is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Astronaut, Children's Authors, Research & Exploration, Space -
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Anna Menon is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Anna Menon for your event is available upon request. Anna Menon generally travels from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Emily Calandrelli, Serena Auñón-Chancellor, Mary Ellen Weber, Sarah Gillis and Kathleen Rubins. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Anna Menon for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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