Leroy Chiao

Leroy Chiao is a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander with a diverse background in business, consulting, executive coaching, and space education. He is a professional international speaker and a co-founder and CEO of OneOrbit, which provides keynotes and training to companies and schools. Chiao also holds an appointment at the Baylor College of Medicine and serves as an advisor to the Houston Association for Space and Science Education. His experiences span both government and commercial space programs, where he has held leadership positions, including his role as the first LSU Raborn Distinguished Chair Professor and faculty member at Rice University. He is a member of the Explorers Club, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the Committee of 100.

Dr. Chiao's tenure at NASA lasted fifteen years, culminating in his role as Commander and NASA Science Officer of Expedition 10 aboard the International Space Station. He has participated in four space missions, accruing over 229 days in space, with more than 36 hours spent conducting Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA, or spacewalks). In 2009, he contributed to the White House appointed Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee and is an active member of the NASA Advisory Council.

Fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Russian, Dr. Chiao has collaborated extensively with international astronauts and space agencies, including Russian, Japanese, and European partners. He is well-versed in the space programs of the United States, Russia, Japan, Europe, and China. Dr. Chiao's expertise extends to U.S. and Russian EVA operations, and he is certified in both American and Russian EVA suits and procedures. His unique international experiences include his visit in September 2006 to the Astronaut Research and Training Center of China, where he met with Chinese astronauts Yang Liwei and Fei Junlong.

Dr. Chiao completed his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1983. He earned his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1985 and 1987, respectively. Before joining NASA in 1990, Chiao worked as a Research Engineer at Hexcel Corp. and then at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab. His post-NASA career has seen him lead initiatives in the commercial space sector and share his insights through motivational talks and educational programs.