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Keynote SpeakerMike Massimino

Former NASA Astronaut, Senior Space Program Advisor and Professor at Columbia University

Mike Massimino is a former NASA Astronaut, a New York Times bestselling author, a Columbia University engineering professor, and an advisor at The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. A veteran of two space shuttle missions and four spacewalks, Mike was the first person to tweet from space, holds the... Read more

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Popular Talks by Mike Massimino

  • Following dreams, setting goals, and never giving up
  • Working with Your Team and Clients Over Distance
  • Innovation and problem solving
  • Dealing with Isolation
  • Being Resilient and Adaptable in Times of Change and Uncertainty
  • Recovering from Adversity, Tragedy, and Disappointment

Biography

Mike Massimino is a former NASA Astronaut, a New York Times bestselling author, a Columbia University engineering professor, and an advisor at The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. A veteran of two space shuttle missions and four spacewalks, Mike was the first person to tweet from space, holds the team record for the most spacewalking time on a single space shuttle mission, and successfully completed the most complicated spacewalk ever attempted to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Mike persisted through three rejections over 7 years on his way to becoming an astronaut, including overcoming a medical disqualification by training his eyes and brain to see better.

After working as an engineer at IBM, NASA, and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, along with academic appointments at both Rice University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Massimino was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1996, and is the veteran of two space flights, the fourth and fifth Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions in 2002 and 2009. During his NASA career he received two NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the American Astronautical Society’s Flight Achievement Award, and the Star of Italian Solidarity (Italian knighthood).

At Columbia, Professor Massimino is teaching an undergraduate engineering course, Introduction to Human Space Flight, which harnesses his years of academic and professional experience. He is also collaborating on The Art of Engineering, a course in which all first-year engineers work on engineering projects with socially responsible themes.

Massimino has a team record for the number of hours spacewalking in a single space shuttle mission and was also the first person to tweet from space. He has made numerous television appearances, including a six-time recurring role as himself on the CBS hit comedy The Big Bang Theory. He has hosted Science Channel’s The Planets and its special Great American Eclipse. He is featured in National Geographic Channel’s series One Strange Rock and is the host for Science Channel’s series The Planets and Beyond. Massimino is a frequent guest on television news and talk show programs, including NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and Fox News. He has also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and on Neil deGrasse Tyson’s StarTalk radio and television shows.

Massimino’s book, Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe, has received rave reviews and is a New York Times best-seller. He is a recipient of the 2017 Christopher Award, the Columbia University Community Impact Outstanding Community Service Award, and the Communications Award of the National Space Club.

With the world facing the personal and professional impacts of COVID-19 on daily life, and businesses having to rethink and adapt, Mike Massimino’s stories and messages about how he has used perseverance, teamwork, and leadership to help himself and his teammates get through adverse circumstances in Space and also on Earth are incredibly relevant and useful now.

In his new book “Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut’s Guide to Achieving the Impossible” Mike reveals how to make possible the seemingly impossible—on Earth.  Written with characteristic wit and a big heart, Mike identifies ten hard-earned lessons of spaceflight and his other life experiences.

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What clients say about Mike Massimino

“Mike Massimino was a HUGE hit with our attendees!  And he was very gracious with his time and so incredibly easy to work with! I would highly recommend him to others looking for a dynamic speaker for their events.” ADM Investor Services
"Mike was really great to work with and just some amazing stories and we’re bummed our clients couldn’t meet him in person, but we think this is the next best thing. Sort of like him talking to us from space. Many of his stories are very topical to what we are all going through right now including the quarantine astronauts go through before going into space and the isolation even in space being disconnected from the world. The story of teamwork with his fellow astronaut classmates was especially powerful for me—this idea that we win or lose together. A great reminder that we’re all in this together right now. And I enjoyed his story about needing to both accept change and anticipate change in the same moment. You have 30 seconds of venting, ranting, or feeling sorry for yourself—and then you move forward. Because the only constant is change. Really powerful! Please thank him for us." Personify, Inc
"The session went really well! We had almost 300 people from around the world tune in live for Mike's presentation. He told a great story and wove in messages around not giving up on your dreams, teamwork, working in isolation, and a lot of others. We have received extremely good feedback from participants, unsolicited, around his story and message. I think it was a home run or a perfect lift off!" 3M
“This was just truly amazing! Mike’s talk was truly inspiring and so motivating! Everyone loved it!” GitHub
“It went absolutely amazing! He did a great job and the audience gave him a standing ovation. He is wonderful and we would definitely love to have him as a keynote speaker again!” Associate Producer at Kindle Communications
“We wanted to personally thank you for joining us yesterday. It was truly a pleasure to have you as the keynote speaker for our inaugural client roundtable event. Your anecdotes and engagement with our audience was delightful and set an incredibly positive tone for a very enjoyable dinner. We are sincerely appreciative that you stayed for the entirety of the event and do hope that you enjoyed your time with us. Thank you also for the personalized books, as we are certain that our attendees will take pleasure in reading about your story of resilience in achieving what you had aspired to be at a very young age. Thank you, Mike, for going above and beyond (it was out of this world!)" Director, Securities Financing Sales, HSBC Securities

How to book Mike Massimino as a keynote speaker

How do I book Mike Massimino for a keynote speech?

You can book Mike Massimino through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Mike's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Mike Massimino's speaking fees?

Mike Massimino's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Mike tailored to your event.

What topics does Mike Massimino speak about?

Mike Massimino speaks on Leadership, Motivation, Performance, Teamwork, Technology. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Mike to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Mike Massimino available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Mike Massimino for events worldwide, subject to Mike's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Mike Massimino deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Mike Massimino is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Mike Massimino?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Mike can accommodate.

Can Mike Massimino tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Mike Massimino on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Mike can offer.

What languages does Mike Massimino present in?

Mike Massimino delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Mike Massimino a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Mike Massimino's areas of expertise include Leadership, Motivation, Performance, Teamwork, Technology. To get a clear sense of Mike's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Mike Massimino speak at?

Mike Massimino can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Leadership, Motivation, Performance, Teamwork, Technology is relevant. Details of Mike's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Mike Massimino offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Mike Massimino is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Mike Massimino?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Mike Massimino, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Mike's current availability for your dates.