Mike Massimino

Professor Mike Massimino is a distinguished former NASA astronaut who completed two Space Shuttle missions dedicated to repairing the Hubble Space Telescope. Despite being rejected by the astronaut programme three times, he persevered to become the first person to use social media from space. A highly accomplished academic, he earned his PhD from MIT and currently serves as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University, whilst also acting as the senior advisor of space programmes for the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. His career spans the extremes of human endeavour, from conducting high-stakes spacewalks to holding a recurring role on the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, he has authored several acclaimed books including the New York Times bestseller Spaceman and his more recent guide to peak performance, Moonshot. He remains a prominent television personality, hosting The Planets and Beyond and appearing frequently as an expert commentator on major networks including CNN and NBC. Massimino is internationally sought after for his ability to translate the technical rigour of space exploration into universal lessons on resilience and collaborative success. He provides audiences with a unique perspective on managing risk and maintaining focus under immense pressure, making him an ideal choice for organisations looking to foster a culture of persistence and excellence. On stage, Mike Massimino is best known for talks on Science, Resilience and Peak Performance. 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 Education, Motivational Speaking and Science & Research, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Mike Massimino is regularly booked for Motivational Speaker and Business Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. 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 Mike Massimino would approach your audience.