Mike Massimino

Mike Massimino is a former NASA astronaut, New York Times bestselling author, and Columbia University professor who flew two Space Shuttle missions to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and became the first person to tweet from space. He speaks on teamwork, leadership, perseverance, innovation, and the lessons learned from pursuing seemingly impossible goals.

Veteran of Two Space Shuttle Missions
Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1996 after being rejected three times—including a medical disqualification he overcame by teaching his eyes to pass the vision test—Massimino flew on the fourth and fifth Hubble servicing missions in 2002 and 2009. He completed four spacewalks, set a team record for spacewalking hours in a single shuttle mission, and earned two NASA Space Flight Medals and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

Bestselling Author and Educator
His memoir, Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe, became a New York Times bestseller and received a Christopher Award. Currently a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University and Senior Advisor for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Massimino teaches courses on human space flight and inspires the next generation of explorers.

Academic Credentials
Massimino holds a B.S. from Columbia University and both a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. The street he grew up on in Franklin Square, New York, has been renamed “Mike Massimino Street” in his honor.

Following Dreams, Setting Goals, and Never Giving Up

Mike’s dream of becoming an astronaut began when he was six years old watching television as Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon.  The path to achieving this dream was wrought with unexpected challenges, failures, disappointments, and self-doubt.  Mike was rejected three times by NASA including a medical disqualification which Mike overcame by teaching his eyes to “see better.”   His persistence paid off with two missions on the Space Shuttle and four spacewalks on the Hubble Space Telescope.   Mike stresses that as long as you keep trying no matter what the obstacles, achieving your goal is possible.

Teamwork and Leadership

Upon arriving at NASA, Mike discovered he was part of team that put the success of the team and the mission above individual accomplishments.  Teamwork and leadership was developed through the extraordinary experiences that Mike and his fellow astronauts shared during their training and spaceflights.  Through these experiences strong friendships and working relationships were forged that enable Mike and his colleague’s to complete astronaut training, overcome tragedy, and repair the greatest scientific instrument in space – the Hubble Space Telescope.  Mike discusses how teamwork and leadership led to success during his spaceflights and in life.

Innovation and Problem Solving

Mike’s second spaceflight was the final Space Shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.  On that mission Mike was tasked with the most complicated spacewalk ever attempted: the in-space repair of a delicate scientific instrument inside of the telescope.   A major miscue during that spacewalk nearly led to failure.  But the ground control team and the astronaut’s in space worked together to come up with an innovative solution that saved the day and the mission.  Mike explains how although not every problem has an obvious solution, preparation and innovation can help us overcome unforeseen challenges.

An Astronaut’s View on Planet Earth

The orbit of the Hubble Space Telescope is 350 miles above the Earth, 100 miles higher than the International Space Station.  From that altitude, astronauts are able to see the curvature of our planet, and spacewalking astronauts are able to take in the magnificent views through their helmet visors with a 360 degree view of our planet and the surrounding universe.  Mike describes his observations and feelings while viewing our planet, including its fragility and the importance of taking care of it.  Climate Change, one Earth