Chris Hadfield

Colonel Chris Hadfield is one of the most seasoned astronauts of his generation, being the first Canadian to serve as Commander of the International Space Station. His illustrious thirty-five-year career began in the armed forces, where he flew fighter jets and served as a high-stakes test pilot for experimental aircraft. Over two decades with NASA, he participated in three space missions, including docking with the Mir station and performing pivotal spacewalks to maintain the ISS. His leadership was further recognised during his tenure as NASA’s Director of Operations in Russia. Beyond his technical prowess, Colonel Hadfield became a global sensation for his ability to communicate the wonders of space through social media and music. He recorded the first original song in orbit and famously performed a cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity while aboard the station. Since returning to Earth, he has authored several best-selling books, such as An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, and co-hosted the BBC series Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? He continues to shape the future of aerospace, recently serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo and providing strategic advice to pioneering space ventures. Colonel Hadfield is frequently sought after for his unique perspective on managing risk, performing under pressure, and the intricate dynamics of high-performance teams. His presentations combine incredible visual storytelling with a wealth of experience gained from leading humanity’s most complex missions in the most unforgiving environments. On stage, Chris Hadfield is best known for talks on Science, Peak Performance and Risk & Risk Management. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Science & Research, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Chris Hadfield is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Motivational Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in Canada, Chris Hadfield travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Chris Hadfield would approach your audience.