Former Astronaut & Bestselling Author
Mike Massimino: Biography at a Glance
- A former NASA astronaut and the first person to tweet from space, Mike is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University and the Senior Advisor for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum
- His most recent book, Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut's Guide to Achieving the Impossible, shares the NASA Astronaut mindset to solve problems, provide leadership in the face of adversity, and never give up when pursuing your wildest ambitions.
- He is also the New York Times bestselling author of Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe.
- 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, Mike was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1996
- A veteran of two space flights, Mike has received a number of awards including two NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, American Astronautical Society’s 2009 Flight Achievement Award, and Star of the Italian Solidarity (Italian Knighthood)
- Has made numerous television appearances including a six-time recurring role as himself on the CBS hit comedy The Big Bang Theory, hosting Science Channel's The Planets and Beyond, The Planets, and its special The Great American Eclipse
Videos
Biography
Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut, is a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University and the senior advisor for space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. He received a BS from Columbia University, and MS degrees in mechanical engineering and in technology and policy, as well as a PhD in mechanical engineering, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
After working as an engineer at IBM, NASA, and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, along with academic appointments at Rice University and at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Mike was selected as an astronaut 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. Mike has a team record for the number of hours spacewalking in a single space shuttle mission, and he was also the first person to tweet from space. 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.
Mike 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. He is a frequent guest on television news and talk show programs, including NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, and CNN. He has also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and on StarTalk radio and television shows.
Mike’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. Mike's new book, Spaceman: The True Story of a Young Boy’s Journey to Becoming an Astronaut, a young adult version of his previously published autobiography, is scheduled for publication on April 7th, 2020. He is a recipient of the 2017 Christopher Award, the 2017 Columbia University Community Impact Outstanding Community Service Award, the 2017 National Space Club Communications Award, and in 2018 was inducted into the Long Island Air and Space Hall of Fame. The street that Mike grew up on in Franklin Square, Long Island has been renamed “Mike Massimino Street.”
News
NY Daily News: "What being aboard the space shuttle taught me about sheltering in place for coronavi
Newsweek: "'I'm An Astronaut. This Is What It's Like To Walk In Space'"
Newsweek: "Former NASA Astronaut Talks Fixing Hubble and COVID-19 Quarantine Tips Ahead of Telescope
MediaVillage: "Spaceman: An Astronaut's Guide to Quarantine and Social Distancing"
Nerdist: "Astronaut Talks Hubble Telescope on Its 30th Anniversary"
Collect Space: "Inspired by real astronauts, Netflix sends Hilary Swank 'Away' to Mars"
Topics
Views from Space: Leadership, Teamwork, Dedication
Mike Massimino shares with audiences personal stories of inspiration, innovation, teamwork and leadership as drawn from his experiences in one of the greatest and most dangerous jobs someone can have—NASA astronaut. Through humor and storytelling, he highlights the pursuit and achievement of a childhood dream, the dedication and teamwork necessary to train for one of NASA’s most difficult space missions, the determination needed to face tragedies like the Columbia space shuttle accident, and the innovation and leadership necessary to overcome seemingly insurmountable trials when in space and beyond. He leaves his audiences understanding the value of having passion for what you do, of perseverance in achieving a goal, of building a team to meet great challenges, and of creativity and innovation in problem solving. He also inspires audiences with the awe and beauty of space and shares his thoughts on the future—both personal and in regard to the ever-changing and competitive space program.
Working with Your Team and Clients Over Distance
Mike and his fellow astronauts spent hours in simulators practicing how they would work and communicate with their support team in the Mission Control Center (MCC) while literally a world apart. He also spent years as a Capcom (Spacecraft Communicator) in MCC communicating with and supporting astronauts in space. Critical problems arose during Mike’s final spacewalk on the Hubble Space Telescope, and even though support team members were at various locations on Earth, they were able to save the day for Mike in space. Although we are now physically separated from each other today due to COVID-19, we can strive to be the person that people can call for help. Reach out and try to be someone else’s Mission Control Center.
Dealing with Isolation
Mike’s NASA training taught him valuable lessons on how to thrive in isolation. Some tips are: try to embrace the situation; concentrate on meaningful work; keep open the lines of communication between friends, family and co-workers; be respectful of the well-being of your crewmates; keep up your self-care and exercise; enjoy the beauty of our planet; and use time away from the hustle and bustle of our normal daily routines to think introspectively about our lives.
Recovering from Adversity, Tragedy, and Disappointment
Mike’s first spaceflight was on Space Shuttle Columbia. On Columbia’s next voyage, the crew and the space shuttle were lost during re-entry. It was devastating to lose seven of his friends in an instant. While grieving and consoling the families of those fallen heroes, another reality set in: what would happen to the future of the space program? The International Space Station was not yet completed and the Hubble Space Telescope needed repair. Mike and his colleagues would not let the loss of their friends be in vain. Innovative procedures, tools, and techniques were developed to get the shuttle flying again to finish that important work. Mike shares stories of how that same effort and attitude is needed now to recover from the effects of COVID-19 on our businesses and lives.
Being Resilient and Adaptable in Times of Change and Uncertainty
Mike’s second space flight was one of the last of the Space Shuttle Program. It was time for NASA to retire the shuttle and move on to the next phase in space exploration. That next phase included flying exclusively on the Russian Soyuz for a few years, and working with commercial companies to provide launch services in the future. Many at NASA did not want to accept these changes. But the last few years have shown that those who accepted these changes have thrived, while those who resisted are no longer contributing. We may not like the new world we are now living in that has forced us to change the way we do business. But by accepting change and knowing that change can provide unseen opportunities, we can still shoot for the stars.
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FAQs
How do I book Mike Massimino for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Mike Massimino to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
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As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Mike Massimino's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Mike Massimino’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Mike Massimino in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Mike Massimino's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Mike Massimino's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Mike Massimino, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Mike Massimino's speaking fee?
Mike Massimino's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Mike Massimino's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
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Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Mike Massimino's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
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The cost to book Mike Massimino as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
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How to contact Mike Massimino for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Mike Massimino speaking engagements.
Official contact for Mike Massimino bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/mike-massimino
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Mike Massimino.
Is Mike Massimino available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Mike Massimino speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
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What events can I book Mike Massimino for?
Book Mike Massimino for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Mike Massimino customizes content for any audience size or event type.
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Mike Massimino engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
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Mike Massimino booking information and availability
Check Mike Massimino's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Mike Massimino for your preferred event date.
Book Mike Massimino keynote speaker through CAA
Book Mike Massimino through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Mike Massimino, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
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Will Mike Massimino speak at private events?
Yes, Mike Massimino speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
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How quickly will I get a response about booking Mike Massimino?
CAA Speakers responds to Mike Massimino booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Mike Massimino?
Book Mike Massimino 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Mike Massimino pricing information?
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For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
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CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.