Terry Virts

Colonel Terry Virts (ret.) is a U.S. Air Force test and fighter pilot and NASA veteran of two spaceflights – a two-week mission onboard the "Space Shuttle Endeavour" in 2010 and a 200-day flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014-2015. He is respected for his dynamic speaking, displaying stunning visuals and sharing compelling tales from his extensive time in space.

During his seven months in space, Virts piloted the Space Shuttle, commanded the International Space Station, and performed three spacewalks. He also engaged in scientific experiments, collaborated closely with multiple international partners, and flew with and led Russian Space Agency cosmonauts amidst intense U.S.-Russian relations. Notably, Virts is one of only four astronauts ever to pilot the NASA space shuttle, fly on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and command the International Space Station.

Virts has a unique distinction in space photography, having captured more than 300,000 still images, the most of any space mission. These photographs were crucial to the IMAX movie "A Beautiful Planet," which Virts contributed to both as a feature film videographer and a subject. His book, "View From Above," published by National Geographic, incorporates some of his best photography and offers insights into spaceflight and reflections on Earth's place in the universe.

An accomplished author and co-host, Virts has contributed to National Geographic’s coverage of the 2017 eclipse and is actively involved in various projects. He is currently in post-production for a documentary about the One More Orbit mission, making his directorial debut in a television project, and working on his next book. Virts continues to engage audiences globally, speaking on topics such as environmental stewardship, crisis management, innovation, and intercultural leadership, enriched by his experience as a seasoned fighter and test pilot of over 40 different types of aircraft.