Leroy Chiao

Dr Leroy Chiao is a former NASA astronaut, International Space Station commander, and space industry expert who translates extreme operational experience into practical leadership insights for organisations navigating complexity and change. A veteran of four space missions with over 229 days in space, he commanded Expedition 10 aboard the ISS, served on the White House Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, and currently advises on NASA's Artemis lunar programme whilst providing regular commentary on SpaceX and international space developments. As co-founder and CEO of OneOrbit, he equips leaders and teams with proven strategies for high-stakes decision-making, cross-cultural collaboration, and resilience under pressure, drawn directly from his multilingual work across American, Russian, Japanese, European, and Chinese space programmes.

Dr Leroy Chiao commanded Expedition 10 aboard the International Space Station, navigating the complexities of leading multinational crews in one of the most demanding operational environments ever created. Over the course of four space missions and a fifteen-year NASA career, he logged more than 229 days in space and 36 hours of spacewalks, gaining direct experience in high-stakes decision-making, cross-cultural collaboration, and resilience under extreme pressure. Since leaving NASA in 2005, he has translated these lessons into actionable frameworks for business leaders, providing regular expert commentary on SpaceX, the Artemis lunar programme, and the evolving global space industry whilst serving on the NASA Advisory Council.

Leroy's credibility extends across technical mastery and strategic leadership. He holds appointments at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine, and advises the Houston Association for Space and Science Education. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Russian, he worked extensively with astronauts and space agencies from Russia, Japan, Europe, and China, becoming the first American to visit China's Astronaut Research and Training Centre in 2006. As a certified co-pilot of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft and an expert in both U.S. and Russian spacewalk operations, he possesses rare insight into international space collaboration. In 2009, he served on the White House Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, shaping policy at the highest level. His recent book, *Dinner with an Astronaut*, shares behind-the-scenes perspectives on space exploration, and he continues to provide analysis on major developments including Starship flight tests and Artemis mission milestones through frequent media appearances and keynote engagements.

As co-founder and CEO of OneOrbit, Leroy equips organisations with proven strategies for managing complexity, uncertainty, and rapid change. His keynotes and executive training programmes draw directly from operational experience in space, offering leaders practical tools for building trust across diverse teams, making critical decisions with incomplete information, and maintaining performance under pressure. Audiences gain tangible frameworks they can apply immediately to improve collaboration, strengthen resilience, and navigate ambiguity with confidence. Whether addressing corporate teams, educational institutions, or industry conferences, he delivers insights grounded in real-world experience that inspire lasting behavioural change and measurable results. His work bridges the extraordinary lessons of space exploration with the everyday challenges leaders face, creating meaningful impact that extends well beyond the event itself.