Mike Massimino

Mike Massimino is a former NASA astronaut, bestselling author, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University who transforms how audiences approach leadership, resilience, and innovation under pressure. A veteran of two space shuttle missions to service the Hubble Space Telescope, he set team records for spacewalking time and became the first person to tweet from space. His New York Times bestseller Spaceman and follow-up book Moonshot translate extraordinary space experiences into practical strategies for achieving ambitious goals. Through dynamic keynotes and teaching, Mike equips leaders and teams with the mindset and tools to navigate uncertainty, overcome obstacles, and perform at their highest level when the stakes are greatest.

During two space shuttle missions to service the Hubble Space Telescope, Mike Massimino set a team record for spacewalking time and became the first person to send a message from orbit to Earth via Twitter. A veteran astronaut who logged over 571 hours in space across missions in 2002 and 2009, Mike has translated the extreme demands of working in the void into insights on leadership, problem-solving, and performance under pressure that resonate far beyond the aerospace community. His journey from working as an engineer at IBM and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace to being selected as a NASA astronaut candidate in 1996 exemplifies the persistence and adaptability he now helps others cultivate. His accolades include two NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and the American Astronautical Society's Flight Achievement Award, recognising both technical excellence and contributions to human spaceflight.

Today, Mike serves as Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University, his alma mater, where he teaches courses including Introduction to Human Space Flight and contributes to The Art of Engineering programme, guiding first-year students through design projects with socially responsible themes. He also holds the position of Senior Advisor for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, continuing to shape public understanding of space exploration. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from Columbia and advanced degrees from MIT, including a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. Mike has authored multiple engineering research papers, holds two patents, and written two New York Times bestsellers: Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe, which received a Christopher Award, and Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut's Guide to Achieving the Impossible. His recurring role as himself on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory introduced his story to millions, whilst his frequent appearances across television programmes and podcasts have made complex spaceflight concepts accessible to diverse audiences.

Mike's keynotes and teaching focus on practical application, helping leaders and teams navigate uncertainty and achieve ambitious goals when the margin for error is slim. His presentation Limitless: What Space Taught Me About Leading Through the Unknown distils lessons from repairing a telescope travelling at 17,500 miles per hour into strategies for decision-making, collaboration, and resilience that organisations can implement immediately. Audiences leave his sessions with renewed confidence to tackle challenges, a framework for maintaining composure during high-stakes moments, and an understanding that extraordinary achievement stems from preparation, teamwork, and the willingness to adapt when plans inevitably change. Whether speaking to corporate leaders, educators, or aspiring engineers, Mike creates lasting impact by demonstrating that the principles enabling success in space apply equally to any endeavour requiring courage, innovation, and the determination to push beyond perceived limits.