ST PAUL, Minn. — No matter where life takes you, it's always important to remember where you came from. That journey can take you places you've never even dreamed of – just ask Anil Menon .

"I grew up there, and so I have a huge bias," Menon said.

"Minnesota was just, it's such a wonderful, beautiful place," he added.

Menon has traveled far and wide since the Minneapolis native graduated from St. Paul Academy and Summit School in 1995. From Harvard to Stanford, SpaceX to now NASA, his journey is still ongoing.

"I'm a NASA astronaut who's flying to space in the summer of 2026," Menon said.

Menon will spend eight months aboard the International Space Station, working as a researcher. He says despite the backgrounds of all aboard – Menon's includes being a flight surgeon – those on

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