Leroy Chiao

  • Former NASA Astronaut and International Space Station Commander
  • Accomplished Tech Entrepreneur

Leroy Chiao is a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander. He is uniquely qualified to speak about the United States, Russian, Japanese, European and Chinese space programs, in addition to addressing motivation, leadership, and teamwork. He served as a member of the White House appointed Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, and currently serves on the NASA Advisory Council and as 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. 

 


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Talks & Conversations with Leroy Chiao
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Motivational: Dare to Dream, Strive to Achieve

In 1969, an eight-year-old boy watched the first Apollo moon landing and dreamed of becoming an Astronaut. He strived, persevered and reached those dreams. Be true to yourself and follow your dreams! ...

In 1969, an eight-year-old boy watched the first Apollo moon landing and dreamed of becoming an Astronaut. He strived, persevered and reached those dreams. Be true to yourself and follow your dreams!

Leadership: Leadership Perspective of an Expedition Commander

Effective leadership can mean the difference between life and death, success and failure. Learn from the experiences of the Commander of a 193-day mission aboard the International Space Station. ...

Effective leadership can mean the difference between life and death, success and failure. Learn from the experiences of the Commander of a 193-day mission aboard the International Space Station.

Teamwork: Build a Team to Launch into Orbit and Beyond

Spaceflight is a demanding endeavor that requires the ultimate in teamwork. Apply the lessons learned and practices of the space program; learn firsthand lessons of team building from a space station Mission Commander. ...

Spaceflight is a demanding endeavor that requires the ultimate in teamwork. Apply the lessons learned and practices of the space program; learn firsthand lessons of team building from a space station Mission Commander.

Diversity: Success in Multicultural Space

In this shrinking world and universe, opportunities abound for professionals who understand the importance and advantages of multicultural teams. Experience the unique lessons learned from preparing for and flying international space missions, from the perspective of a Chinese-American Astronaut wo ...

In this shrinking world and universe, opportunities abound for professionals who understand the importance and advantages of multicultural teams. 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, Canadian and American Astronauts and specialists.

Space: View From the On-High: Adventures of a Professional Astronaut

Experience spaceflight from the on-high perch of the International Space Station. Get the behind-the-scenes tour from the Commander of Expedition X. Stunning photographs and personal stories make this an unforgettable experience! ...

Experience spaceflight from the on-high perch of the International Space Station. Get the behind-the-scenes tour from the Commander of Expedition X. Stunning photographs and personal stories make this an unforgettable experience!

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Biography

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 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 four space 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 were spent in Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA, or spacewalks). From June–September 2009, he served as a member of the White House appointed Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, and currently serves on the 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 space agencies. 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 was also 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 in 1990, he worked as a Research Engineer at Hexcel Corp. and then at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab.