Mike Massimino Jeffrey Schifman

Fee Band

  • Conference SpeakersOver £25k
  • Science, Health & Medicine, Overcoming Adversity, Peak Performance

Mike's extraordinary life has taken in two Space Shuttle trips, becoming the first person to tweet from space, appearing as a regular on the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, and becoming a bestselling author, broadcaster and academic. All of it achieved with a rare combination of purpose, humour and sense of perspective. He shares his journey to becoming an astronaut, from being rejected by NASA three times to his first flight into space, and his insights on leadership, teamwork, perseverance and what it feels like to look down on Earth while on a spacewalk.


Biography

Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino has led an extraordinary life, taking in two Space Shuttle trips, becoming the first person to tweet from space, appearing as a regular on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, and a bestselling author, broadcaster and academic. All of it achieved with a rare combination of purpose, humour, and sense of perspective.

Engineer Mike combined working in industry with gaining his Masters degrees and his PhD at MIT, before pursuing his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. Despite having worked with NASA, he was only accepted for the administration’s astronaut programme on his fourth application. After training, as well as serving at NASA Mission Control, he undertook the first of his two Space Shuttle missions to service the pioneering Hubble Space Telescope. Having been awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the American Astronautical Society’s Flight Achievement Award, Mike returned to academia to teach mechanical engineering and the Introduction to Human Space Flight course at Columbia University.

Determination, patience, and innovative thinking are all critical in the high-pressure environment of space expeditions. Mike highlights that success lies in placing the mission and team above individual accomplishments (and failures). He considers the lessons in teamwork, risk, and the importance of putting problems in perspective that his time in space has taught him. One of the last Space Shuttle astronauts, he also looks at the challenges the project and its astronauts faced in the aftermath of disaster, and under political and budgetary pressure. On a personal level, Mike was rejected by NASA three times, including once for failing an eyesight test, but whilst most candidates give up at the first or second application, he persevered and trained his eyes to ‘see better’ in order to pursue his dream. Drawing on this, and with self-depreciation and compelling insights, Mike also discusses disappointment and failure, and how to build resilience and persistence for the long-term pursuit of goals.

Mike is the author of the New York Times bestseller Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe, a look at the highs, lows, lessons, and experiences from his eighteen-year career, and its follow-up for young readers Spaceman: The True Story of a Young Boy’s Journey to Becoming an Astronaut. In Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut's Guide to Achieving the Impossible, Mike shares his hard-earned lessons and how to apply them in work and life.

He has had a recurring role as himself on the comedy series The Big Bang Theory, is the host for the Science Channel series The Planets and Beyond, and was featured in National Geographic Channel's One Strange Rock. He is also a frequent guest and commentator across the US news media, including NBC’s Today Show and ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and CNBC, and has been called the real-life astronaut who inspired George Clooney’s role in the movie Gravity.

Videos

Working in Isolation

More Details

Books

Book written by Mike Massimino
Book written by Mike Massimino
Book written by Mike Massimino

Contact

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JLA Presents

Risk Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 17/09/2024 - 09:00

Speakers Breakfast

Navigating Risk and Chaos – Strategies For Coping With An Uncertain World.

Speakers
Clive Myrie, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Rt Hon Lord Parker of Minsmere, and Robin Niblett

On Tuesday 17th September we had the pleasure of hearing from a remarkable panel of speakers, who shared their expertise on the challenges of managing Risk in a chaotic world.

The panel featured esteemed speakers, Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton KFSM (Firefigter and Neuroscience researcher), Lord Parker of Minsmere (Andrew Parker, Former Director General of MI5), and Sir Robin Niblett (Former Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House). The event was hosted superbly by Mastermind and BBC News presenter Clive Myrie.

Over the hour, our panellists explored Risk on multiple levels, from global affairs to business environments and personal everyday challenges. They provided valuable insights into how we can better manage and mitigate Risk in today’s unpredictable world.

 

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

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AI Speakers Breakfast event image.
Event - 30/04/2024 - 09:00:00

Speakers Breakfast

Understanding AI Now

Speakers
Priya Lakhani and Anne-Marie Imafidon

We were joined at 87 Barts Close by three brilliant speakers on a panel that delved into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence. Over the hour our panellists de-mystified AI, speaking about AI’s immense promise for enhancing our lives, alongside the apprehension it has generated regarding job security, privacy infringement, and ethical considerations.

Location

87 Barts Close, 87 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7EB

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