Astronaut Garrett Reisman

Professor of Astronautical Engineering at USC and a Senior Advisor at SpaceX

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Astronaut Garrett Reisman's Biography

A NASA veteran who flew on all three Space Shuttles, Dr. Garrett Reisman will describe what it was like to fly on the Space Shuttle and what the future holds for human spaceflight in an unforgettably funny and entertaining way. Dr. Reisman was selected by NASA as a mission specialist astronaut in 1998. His first mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour which dropped him off for a 95 day stay aboard the International Space Station after which he returned to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. His second mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. During these missions, Dr. Reisman performed 3 spacewalks, operated the Space Station Robot Arm and was a flight engineer aboard the Space Shuttle. But more importantly, he was featured on multiple episodes of ‘The Colbert Report’. In February of 2011, Dr. Reisman left NASA and is currently the Director of Space Operations for SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. In his new job, he is working with NASA to prepare SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts and is responsible for all human interfaces in the crew vehicle. Thus, he is a major player in both the American space program’s past and future. Dr. Reisman will give you an insider’s view and describe what it was like to launch into space, see the Earth from orbit, do a spacewalk, live and work in space, and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Dr. Reisman will then give you a behind the scenes look at what is coming up next in human spaceflight: a whole new golden age of exploration!

SPEAKING VIDEOS
PHOTOS

Inspiration & Determination

Our Spaceship, Earth

Where's My Patch?

Astronaut Garrett Reisman Speaker Solutions

Keynote Speaker

SPEAKER TOPICS

Disruptive Innovation Speakers

Design Thinking Speakers

Space Speakers

Risk Management Speakers

Inspiring Speakers

Virtual Keynotes

Conference Speakers

Astronaut Garrett Reisman Keynote Topics

The Recent Past And Near Future Of The American Space Program

Dr. Reisman offers a captivating look at America’s space journey, from Shuttle missions to SpaceX’s new era. He brings audiences behind the curtain with humour and vivid detail. The talk shows how past achievements fuel the future of space exploration. It inspires audiences to see what the next golden age of discovery will hold.

Lessons Learned: Inspiration, Determination, Vision, And Innovation

This talk shares the personal and professional lessons Dr. Reisman gained from NASA and SpaceX. Audiences hear how resilience and creativity drive progress in extreme conditions. The stories translate into universal principles of leadership and collaboration. It leaves listeners motivated to apply innovation and determination in their own missions.

Apollo 1, Challenger, And Columbia – Failures Of Risk Management – What Can Organizations And Individuals Learn From These Tragedies?

Dr. Reisman explores the cultural and organisational missteps behind NASA’s most painful losses. This talk goes beyond history, becoming a powerful leadership lesson. Audiences gain insights into accountability, risk awareness, and communication. It equips leaders and teams to build stronger, safer, and more resilient organisations.

Simplicity As A Guiding Principle In Engineering Design

In this session, Dr. Reisman reveals why simplicity is the key to reliability in engineering. He shows how streamlined design drives safety and innovation at NASA and SpaceX. Audiences see how “less is more” applies to their own challenges. The talk inspires smarter, more efficient decision-making across industries.

Innovation At NASA And SpaceX – Who Does It Better And Why?

With firsthand experience inside both organisations, Dr. Reisman compares their innovation cultures. He uncovers how tradition and disruption approach the same challenges differently. The talk offers lessons in agility, creativity, and leadership. Audiences leave inspired to foster innovation in their own fields.

Astronaut Garrett Reisman's Biography

Dr. Reisman was selected by NASA as a mission specialist astronaut in 1998. His first mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour which dropped him off for a 95 day stay aboard the International Space Station after which he returned to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. His second mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. During these missions, Dr. Reisman performed 3 spacewalks, operated the Space Station Robot Arm and was a flight engineer aboard the Space Shuttle. But more importantly, he was featured on multiple episodes of ‘The Colbert Report’.

In February of 2011, Dr. Reisman left NASA and is currently the Director of Space Operations for SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. In his new job, he is working with NASA to prepare SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts and is responsible for all human interfaces in the crew vehicle. Thus, he is a major player in both the American space program’s past and future.

Dr. Reisman will give you an insider’s view and describe what it was like to launch into space, see the Earth from orbit, do a spacewalk, live and work in space, and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Dr. Reisman will then give you a behind the scenes look at what is coming up next in human spaceflight: a whole new golden age of exploration!