Leroy Chiao
- Former International Space Station Commander
- Former NASA Astronaut & Engineer
- Top Technology & Space Sector Futurist
Leroy Chiao is a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander. He works in business and consulting. Chiao also holds appointments at Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine, and is the special advisor for human spaceflight to the Space Foundation. He has worked extensively in both government and commercial space programs, and
read the restLeroy Chiao is a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander. He works in business and consulting. Chiao also holds appointments at Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine, and is the special advisor for human spaceflight to the Space Foundation. He has worked extensively in both government and commercial space programs, and has held leadership positions in commercial ventures and NASA. Chiao has extensive experience as a NASA Astronaut and prior to that, as a Research Engineer. Dr. Chiao is a fellow of the Explorers Club, and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Committee of 100. Chiao also serves in various capacities to further space education.
Dr. Chiao left NASA in December, 2005 following a fifteen-year career with the agency. A veteran of fourspace missions, Dr. Chiao most recently served as Commander and NASA Science Officer of Expedition 10 aboard the International Space Station. He has logged over 229 days in space – over 36 hours of which werespent in Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA, or spacewalks). From June–September 2009, he served as a memberof the White House appointed Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, and currently serves onthe NASA Advisory Council.
A native English speaker, Dr. Chiao also speaks Mandarin Chinese and Russian. He has flown space missions and worked closely with Russian, Japanese and European Astronauts and their affiliated spaceagencies. Dr. Chiao is uniquely qualified to speak about the United States, Russian, Japanese, European and Chinese Space Programs. A Space Station Commander and Space Shuttle Mission Specialist, Dr. Chiao wasalso a certified Co-Pilot of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. He is an expert in all facets of U.S. and Russian EVA hardware and operations and is EVA certified in U.S. and Russian spacesuits, tools, and training programs. In September 2006, Chiao became the first American to visit the Astronaut Research and Training Center of China. There, he met the first two national Chinese astronauts, Yang Liwei and Fei Junlong.
Dr. Chiao studied Chemical Engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1983. He continued his studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara,earning his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 1985 and 1987. Prior to joining NASA in1990, he worked as a Research Engineer at Hexcel Corp. and then at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
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Speaker Programs
What does it take to jump to the next level? It takes the right kind of leadership to foster a culture, which emphasizes the rigor of operational excellence, but also encourages using collaboration, curiosity and ...more
What does it take to jump to the next level? It takes the right kind of leadership to foster a culture, which emphasizes the rigor of operational excellence, but also encourages using collaboration, curiosity and creativity to take calculated risks and novel paths. It is also vital that your enterprise stays up to date on technology and innovation trends, to stay in the lead position.
During spaceflight, operational decision-making can make the difference between life and death, success and failure – especially during a crisis. But in some cases, it is the novel
solution that saves the day. In this presentation, Dr. Leroy Chiao shares provocative and awe-inspiring stories from his four space missions, including nail-biting tales of real emergency situations, and shows audiences how lessons learned from spaceflight can impact their organizations. Using his personal experience as the commander of a 193-day mission aboard the International Space Station, he illustrates how reaching for the stars is important, but even more so is honing the skills required to not only stay alive, but thrive.
In addition, understanding where innovation is driving technology trends is key to planning for the future. Having been in technology companies and NASA, Dr. Chiao is no stranger to this world. He offers an exciting glimpse into life in the future and shares insights on a world in which technology is accelerating much more quickly than ever before – presenting new opportunities for businesses poised to take action, or threats to those who are slow to adapt. He presents real-world examples of companies, which thrived or suffered depending on their ability to change with the times. Imagine a world in which you are connected directly to the Internet using thought-controlled computer augmentation and a virtual heads-up display. Imagine a life where personalized medicine allows treatments tailored to your genetics, where replacement organs are grown to be identical to your own.
Through awe-inspiring stories of his time in space and breathtaking photos, Chiao looks at what is coming around the bend and how organizations can take advantage of the next technological phase and form the right culture to jump to the next quantum level ...less
Complacency in any organization leads to loss of efficiency and opportunities in the best case, and loss of the business or even life in the worst. Complacency is an insidious slow- burning problem, which usually ...more
Complacency in any organization leads to loss of efficiency and opportunities in the best case, and loss of the business or even life in the worst. Complacency is an insidious
slow- burning problem, which usually begins and builds without anyone really noticing. In this thought-provoking presentation, hear an astronaut discuss success in space exploration and business using personal spaceflight stories and photographs, as well as failures at NASA and other organizations. Introductory case studies examine the symptoms, causes and effects of organizational and individual complacency. Learn how to use mitigation and maintenance strategies to leave complacency behind in your endeavor, to reach the stars!
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In space, effective leadership can make the difference between life and death, success and failure – especially during a crisis. In this presentation, Dr. Leroy Chiao shares provocative and awe-inspiring stories from his four space ...more
In space, effective leadership can make the difference between life and death, success and failure – especially during a crisis. In this presentation, Dr. Leroy Chiao shares provocative and awe-inspiring stories from his four space missions, including nail-biting tales of real emergency situations, and shows audiences how lessons learned from operational spaceflight can impact their organizations. Using his personal experience as the commander of a 193-day mission aboard the International Space Station, he illustrates how reaching for the stars is important, but even more so is honing the operational decision-making skills required to not only stay alive, but thrive.
With the help of breathtaking photos, he outlines the five key leadership lessons learned from his time in space: 1.) Training is not something you can switch on and off; it must be a continuous learning process, 2.) Keep your eye on the long-term goal, but ensure that you are safe in the short-term so you have time and the capacity to accomplish it, 3.) Keep crises in perspective and make sure you don’t exacerbate a problem, 4.) Ask for help if necessary, but never forget you are ultimately responsible, and 5.) Sometimes immediate action is required; anticipate and be prepared for it. Chiao’s talk is great for leaders in all sectors who work in a complex environment, who take calculated risks, and who “push the envelope.” ...less
Spaceflight and space exploration began in the realm of countries and the race for global power and influence. Along the way, key technologies were developed and matured, which enabled the future commercial space industry. Astronaut ...more
Spaceflight and space exploration began in the realm of countries and the race for global power and influence. Along the way, key technologies were developed and matured, which enabled the future commercial space industry. Astronaut Leroy Chiao grew up during the space race, was inspired to dream of becoming an astronaut by the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and years later, was selected by NASA and flew four missions into space during the heart of the Space Shuttle program and the beginning of the International Space Station (ISS) era. He left NASA in 2005 after serving as the 10th commander of the ISS and began working in the commercial “New Space” environment during its “Wild West” beginnings. This was just two years after the flight of SpaceShipOne, the first commercial crewed vehicle to touch space. Over the years, he has been a part of both successes and failures in this new industry. These experiences and his NASA heritage place Chiao in the perfect position to opine on what is the likely future trajectory of the commercial space sector. In this exciting presentation, Dr. Chiao talks about his personal journey and the evolution of government and commercial spaceflight. He describes the unbridled excitement and enthusiasm during the early “New Space” days and how this allowed breathtaking advances to be achieved, but also for charlatans to run free. The resulting painful shakeout of the industry forced it to mature for the better. Today, excitement and enthusiasm still run high, and many new opportunities are opening. Join Leroy Chiao in this exciting story about spaceflight’s future, which has only just begun!
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Understanding where innovation is driving technology trends is key to planning for the future. Dr. Leroy Chiao is no stranger to this world. He offers an exciting glimpse into life on the next quantum level ...more
Understanding where innovation is driving technology trends is key to planning for the future. Dr. Leroy Chiao is no stranger to this world. He offers an exciting glimpse into life on the next quantum level and shares insights on a world in which technology is accelerating much more quickly than ever before – presenting new opportunities for businesses poised to take action. Imagine a world in which you are connected directly to the Internet using thought-controlled computer augmentation and a virtual heads-up display or a world in which sensors can identify you instantly – allowing you to travel smoothly and securely, whether you use commercial travel or your automatically piloted vehicle. Imagine a life where personalized medicine allows treatments tailored to your genetics, where replacement organs are grown to be identical to your own. Through awe-inspiring stories of his time in space and breathtaking photos, Chiao looks at what is coming around the bend and how organizations can take advantage of the next technological phase. ...less
In this shrinking world and universe, opportunities abound for professionals who realize the importance and advantages of international teams. Understanding nuances, and integrating different cultures and customs, are key to effectiveness. Experience the unique lessons ...more
In this shrinking world and universe, opportunities abound for professionals who realize the importance and advantages of international teams. Understanding nuances, and integrating different cultures and customs, are key to effectiveness. Experience the unique lessons learned from preparing for and flying international space missions, from the perspective of a Chinese-American Astronaut working with Russian, Japanese, European and Canadian astronauts and specialists. ...less
Understanding where innovation is driving technology trends is key to planning the future of your enterprise. Dr. Leroy Chiao is no stranger to this world. He earned three degrees in chemical engineering and a Q-clearance ...more
Understanding where innovation is driving technology trends is key to planning the future of your enterprise. Dr. Leroy Chiao is no stranger to this world. He earned three degrees in chemical engineering and a Q-clearance for nuclear secrets at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, before embarking on his 15-year career as a NASA astronaut and space station commander. Since leaving NASA, Chiao has applied his experience in the technology startup world. He is currently the co-founder and president of a space/conservation startup, and has served as CEO of a medical materials company. With this expertise, he offers an exciting glimpse into life on the next quantum level. Dr. Chiao presents a world in which technology is accelerating much more quickly than ever before, presenting new opportunities for you and your business. ...less
Effective operational leadership in solving problems can make the difference between life and death, success and failure. Lessons learned from operational spaceflight apply directly to you and your business! Dr. Leroy Chiao shares his experiences ...more
Effective operational leadership in solving problems can make the difference between life and death, success and failure. Lessons learned from operational spaceflight apply directly to you and your business! Dr. Leroy Chiao shares his experiences of the commander of a 193-day mission aboard the International Space Station, including real emergency situations. Dr. Chiao uses his personal experience aboard spacecraft to illustrate how reaching for the stars is important, but even more so is honing the operational decision making skills required to not only stay alive, but to thrive. ...less
Spaceflight is a magical, life-changing experience. However, there is a darker side to the adventure. Serious medical issues, both acute and chronic, occur in every phase of flight, and it is these biomedical challenges that ...more
Spaceflight is a magical, life-changing experience. However, there is a darker side to the adventure. Serious medical issues, both acute and chronic, occur in every phase of flight, and it is these biomedical challenges that limit our ability to send astronauts on longer and more distant missions, not the technology of spacecraft or technical systems. In this fascinating presentation, Dr. Chiao weaves the physiological effects of the space environment with his personal stories and adventures in space. In addition, he discusses the synergy between the development of operational countermeasures and diagnostics for spaceflight, and the creation of healthcare solutions on Earth. Educated as a chemical engineer, Dr. Chiao first became interested in space biomedicine after experiencing changes in physiology during his first Space Shuttle mission. A veteran of four spaceflights, he served as commander and NASA science officer of Expedition-X, a six-and-a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. After a 15-year NASA astronaut career, Dr. Chiao became the user panel chairman for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, and the biomedical engineering lead for the Center for Space Medicine. Both entities are a part of the Baylor College of Medicine, collocated in the Texas Medical Center. ...less
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