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Leroy Chiao (Chinese: ē„¦ē«‹äø­; born August 28, 1960) is an American chemical engineer, retired NASA astronaut, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and engineering consultant.[1][3] Chiao flew on three Space Shuttle flights, and was the commander of Expedition 10, where he lived on board the International Space Station from October 13, 2004 to April 24, 2005.[1] He is also a co-author and researcher for the Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity project.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Chiao was born to a Taiwanese American family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was raised in Danville, California.[1] His parents are Taiwanese waishengren who were born in Shandong province in mainland China but moved to Taiwan.[4] They met while studying at a Taiwanese university in the 1950s before immigrating to the U.S.[5][6]

Chiao graduated from Monte Vista High School in Danville in 1978. In 1983, he earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.[7] He later earned an Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1985 and 1987, respectively.[1][7]

Chiao's parents were chemical engineers who immigrated to Milwaukee from the Republic of China in the late 1950s for graduate school. Stressing a high doctorate-level science education, his parents encouraged him to follow their lead and become an engineer.[7] Chiao's aviator call sign is "Shandong," the name of the Chinese province where his parents grew up.[8]

Pre-NASA career

[edit]
NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, left, and Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov served on Expedition 10 in the International Space Station.
Astronaut Leroy Chiao works with the controls of the Canadarm2
Astronaut Leroy Chiao, Expedition 10 commander and NASA ISS science officer, wearing a Russian Orlan spacesuit, participates in the first of two sessions of extravehicular activities (EVA) performed by the Expedition 10 crew during their six-month mission.

Upon graduation, Chiao joined the Hexcel Corporation in Dublin, California from 1987 to 1989.[1] He was involved in process, manufacturing, and engineering research on advanced aerospace materials, and worked on a joint NASA-JPL/Hexcel project to develop a practical, optically correct, precision segment reflector made entirely of advanced polymer composite materials for future space telescopes, as well as working on cure modeling and finite element analysis.[1] In January 1989, Chiao joined the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, where he was involved in processing research for the fabrication of filament-wound and thick-section aerospace composites. Chiao also developed and demonstrated a mechanistic cure model for graphite fiber and epoxy composite material (see Graphite-reinforced plastic). An instrument-rated pilot, Chiao has logged over 3300 flight hours in a variety of aircraft.[1]

NASA career

[edit]

At age 29, Chiao was selected by NASA in January 1990 (the youngest in Group 13) and became an astronaut in July 1991. He qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. His technical assignments included: Space Shuttle flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL); crew equipment, Spacelab, Spacehab, and payload issues for the Astronaut Office Mission Development Branch; training and flight data file issues; and extravehicular activity (EVA) issues for the EVA Branch. Chiao is Chief of the Astronaut Office EVA Branch.[1]

A veteran of four space flights, Chiao flew as a mission specialist on STS-65 in 1994, STS-72 in 1996 and STS-92 in 2000. Chiao had logged over 36 days and 12.5 hours in space, including over 26 EVA hours in four spacewalks, before his mission aboard the International Space Station.[1]

Chiao is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Additionally, Chiao also learned Russian to communicate with Russian cosmonauts as part of the International Space Station program. On November 2, 2004, Chiao voted in the 2004 United States presidential election while aboard the International Space Station, making him the first American to vote in a presidential election while in space.[9] McDonald's presented Chiao with a Big Mac and French fries at their branch in Star City as one of his first meals since returning to Earth after his ISS assignment.[10] Among the souvenirs he brought into space in his previous space flights were a Chinese flag and a quartz-carved rose from Hong Kong.

Chiao was the inadvertent developer of the procedure to use the IRED (Interim Resistive Exercise Device) to excite the solar arrays of the ISS. During an exercise session of squats on the ISS, Chiao sent a vibration through the space station that caused the solar arrays to ripple ā€“ a low amplitude frequency response. When Chiao did this, the response from Mission Control was "knock it off." However, several years later during an ISS assembly flight in December 2006 (STS-116), German astronaut Thomas Reiter of the European Space Agency was told to do 30 seconds of robust exercise on the bungee-bar IRED machine to help retract ISS solar arrays, specifically to relieve tension in a wire system that was preventing the array from folding up like an accordion. An eventual unplanned spacewalk during the same shuttle mission retracted the array.

Chiao left NASA in December 2005 to pursue employment in the private sector.[11]

Spaceflight experience

[edit]
President George W. Bush welcomed the crew members and families of the International Space Station expeditions 7, 8, 9, and 10 to the Oval Office in May 2005. From left: Lt. Colonel Mike Fincke, ISS 9; Dr. Edward Lu, ISS 7; Dr. Leroy Chiao, ISS 10, and Dr. Michael Foale, ISS 8.

STS-65 Columbia (July 8ā€“23, 1994) launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, setting a new flight duration record for the Space Shuttle program at that time. The STS-65 mission flew the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2). During the 15-day flight, the seven-member crew conducted more than 80 experiments focusing on materials and life sciences research in microgravity. The STS-65 mission was accomplished in 236 orbits of the Earth, traveling 6.1 million miles in 353 hours and 55 minutes.[1][12]

STS-72 Endeavour (January 11ā€“20, 1996) was a nine-day mission during which the crew retrieved the Space Flyer Unit (launched from Japan ten months earlier), and deployed and retrieved the OAST-Flyer. Chiao performed two spacewalks designed to demonstrate tools and hardware and evaluate techniques to be used in the assembly of the International Space Station. In completing this mission, Chiao logged 214 hours and 41 seconds in space, including just over thirteen EVA hours, and traveled 3.7 million miles in 142 orbits of the Earth.[1][13]

STS-92 Discovery (October 11ā€“24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven-member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discovery's robotic arm and performed four spacewalks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. Chiao totaled 13 hours and 16 minutes of EVA time in two spacewalks. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, traveling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes, and 25 seconds.[1][14]

ISS Expedition 10 (October 9, 2004 ā€“ April 24, 2005), Chiao was the commander of Expedition 10 on the International Space Station.[1][15]

Post-NASA career

[edit]

After leaving NASA, Chiao became involved in entrepreneurial business ventures in the U.S. and China.[16]

In early 2006, he joined the Atlanta firm of SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) as an affiliate and technical advisor (on a non-exclusive basis). Dr. Chiao assists the firm on space technologies and operating processes for future space exploration concepts and research on the commercialization of space.[17] In July 2006, Chiao accepted a position as the Executive Vice President for Space Operations and a Director of Excalibur Almaz Limited.[16] He was responsible for operational aspects of spaceflight, including training for both the capsule and space station.[16] The company assembled a team from the Isle of Man, the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and Continental Europe to begin work towards refurbishing and flying a capsule in space based upon the design of the Almaz capsules.

In March 2006, Chiao began an appointment in the mechanical engineering department at the Louisiana State University as the first Raborn Distinguished Chair Max Faget Professor.[18]

Chiao is the chairman of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) User Panel, which is attached to the Baylor College of Medicine.[19] The NSBRI, funded by NASA, is a consortium of institutions studying the health risks related to long-duration space flight. The Institute's User Panel is an advisory board composed of former and current astronauts and flight surgeons that ensures NSBRI's research program is focused on astronaut health and safety. In preparation for lunar and Mars exploration, Chiao and the User Panel will help align NSBRI's science and technology projects with the needs of astronauts on long missions.[19]

In July 2007, Chiao joined an expedition to visit Devon Island and conduct 5 days of webcasts and other instructional activities spanning the period of 16ā€“20 July 2007.[20] This activity was in collaboration with the Mars Institute, the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, The Explorers Club and SpaceRef Interactive, Inc. He conducted these webcasts from the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station and nearby locations to illustrate how NASA and other space agencies are learning to live on the Moon and Mars here on Earth.[20]

Chiao appeared in an episode of MANswers in 2008 explaining how to neutralize an astronaut in space who has gone berserk.[21]

In May 2009 Chiao wrote a few blog articles on Gizmodo.com detailing some of his space experiences.

In May 2009 Chiao was named as a member of the Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee an independent review requested by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on May 7, 2009.

In a special to CNN written by Chiao on 1 September 2011, he suggested that China be permitted to join the International Space Station program to remedy the issue relating to the limited options available for space travel, following the conclusion of the United States space shuttle program, and a failure of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft on 24 August 2011.[22]

From 2011ā€“2016, Chiao worked for Epiphan Video as VP Aerospace. He is an advisor to the company. Based on NASA's space technologies, Epiphan Video produces high-resolution video capture, streaming, and recording products for the medical, educational, IT, and industrial markets.[23] Chiao's role at Epiphan Video is to work with the aerospace industry to define the company's vision and achieve strategic goals in areas such as air traffic control.[24]

From 2012ā€“2016, Chiao was the special advisor ā€“ human spaceflight for the Space Foundation. He has been an advisor to the Houston Association of Space and Science Education since 2014. He is currently a co-founder and CEO of OneOrbit, a corporate keynote and training company, which also offers educational programs for schools and educators.

Personal life

[edit]

Chiao married his wife, Karen, in 2003.[1][25] She is a photographer, and her father is Dutch.[26] The couple has two children: twins Henry and Caroline.[27] He divorced Karen in 2020.[28] Chiao enjoys flying his Grumman Tiger aircraft, as well as downhill skiing.[1] He speaks English, Mandarin Chinese, and Russian.[1][29]

Awards and honors

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Leroy Chiao

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Leroy Chiao (born August 28, 1960) is an American chemical engineer and retired NASA astronaut of Chinese descent.[1] Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he grew up in Danville, California, and speaks Mandarin Chinese in addition to English and Russian.[1] Chiao earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 1983 and Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the same field from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1985 and 1987, respectively.[1] Selected as an astronaut candidate in NASA's Group 13 in January 1990, Chiao flew four space missions from 1994 to 2005.[1] His first flight was STS-65 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1994 as payload commander for the International Microgravity Laboratory-2 mission, lasting nearly 15 days.[1] He next served as mission specialist on STS-72 (Endeavour, January 1996), which included a spacewalk and satellite retrieval, and STS-92 (Discovery, October 2000), contributing to International Space Station assembly with another extravehicular activity.[1] Chiao's final mission was as commander of Expedition 10, launching via Soyuz TMA-5 in October 2004 and spending approximately six months aboard the ISS, where he conducted two EVAs in a Russian Orlan spacesuit.[1] Across his career, Chiao accumulated 229 days, 7 hours, 38 minutes, and 5 seconds in space, including 36 hours and 7 minutes of EVA time during six spacewalks.[1] He was the first astronaut of Asian descent to command an ISS expedition and the first of Chinese heritage to perform an EVA from the station.[1] Chiao retired from NASA in December 2005 and subsequently pursued entrepreneurship, engineering consulting, and advocacy for space exploration.[1]

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Childhood Influences

Leroy Chiao was born on August 28, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to parents of Han Chinese ancestry who had emigrated from Taiwan.[2][3] His father, Tsu Tao Chiao, and mother, Cherry Chiao, were both chemical engineers trained in Taiwan after relocating there from mainland China, where they originated from Shandong province.[4][5] The couple met at university in Taiwan, married, and later moved to the United States seeking better opportunities, with Chiao's mother credited for initiating the immigration decision.[3][4] The family, including Chiao and his two sisters (one older and one younger), relocated to Danville, California, shortly after his birth, where he spent the majority of his childhood.[6] Raised in a household emphasizing academic rigor and STEM pursuits, Chiao's parents stressed doctorate-level scientific education and modeled engineering as a pathway to success, influencing his early career trajectory.[7] They enforced bilingualism by requiring Mandarin Chinese at home and fining children for speaking English, fostering a strong connection to their heritage despite the family's assimilation into American suburban life.[8] Chiao's fascination with space emerged during childhood through hands-on experimentation, including building model airplanes and rockets in the family garage.[3] A pivotal influence was witnessing the Apollo 11 moon landing on television in 1969 at age eight, which ignited his aspiration to become an astronaut amid the era's Space Race fervor.[3] This early exposure, combined with his parents' engineering ethos and the cultural value placed on technical achievement, directed his interests toward aviation and rocketry from a young age.[3][7]

Academic and Scientific Training

Leroy Chiao earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1983.[1] He then pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, obtaining a Master of Science in chemical engineering in 1985 and a Doctor of Philosophy in the same field in 1987.[1] [9] Chiao's doctoral research focused on chemical engineering principles applicable to materials processing, aligning with his subsequent professional work in advanced composites and filament winding techniques for aerospace applications.[2] This academic foundation emphasized empirical experimentation and quantitative analysis, providing rigorous training in thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and process optimization essential for engineering challenges in propulsion and structural materials.[10]

Pre-NASA Engineering Career

Initial Professional Roles

Following completion of his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1987, Chiao joined Hexcel Corporation in Dublin, California, where he served as a research engineer until 1989.[1] In this role, he conducted process, manufacturing, and engineering research focused on advanced aerospace materials, including cure modeling and finite element analysis.[1] A key project involved collaboration with NASA-JPL to develop an optically correct polymer composite precision segment reflector for future space-based telescopes.[1] In January 1989, Chiao transitioned to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, continuing his work as a research engineer until his NASA selection in January 1990.[1] There, he specialized in processing research for filament-wound and thick-section aerospace composites, developing and demonstrating a mechanistic cure model for graphite fiber/epoxy composite materials.[1] These positions provided foundational experience in materials engineering relevant to aerospace applications, aligning with his prior academic training in chemical engineering.[1]

Research and Technical Contributions

Prior to his selection as a NASA astronaut in January 1990, Leroy Chiao contributed to materials engineering and semiconductor processing research in industry and national laboratory settings.[2] From 1987 to 1989, he worked at Hexcel Corporation, a composites manufacturer, where he conducted process, manufacturing, and engineering research focused on advanced aerospace materials, including the development of high-performance composites used in aircraft and spacecraft structures.[2] These efforts involved optimizing fabrication techniques for lightweight, durable materials critical to aerospace applications, leveraging his chemical engineering expertise to improve material properties such as strength-to-weight ratios and thermal resistance.[2] In 1989, Chiao transitioned to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the U.S. Department of Energy, where he engaged in processing research for the fabrication of semiconductor laser components.[2] His work at LLNL centered on refining deposition and etching processes to enhance the efficiency and output of diode lasers, which have applications in optical communications, sensing, and directed energy systems.[2] This research contributed to advancements in microfabrication techniques, addressing challenges in yield and scalability for high-power laser arrays, though specific quantitative outcomes from his projects remain classified or unpublished due to the laboratory's national security focus.[2] These pre-NASA roles honed Chiao's technical skills in experimental design, data analysis, and interdisciplinary engineering, directly informing his later contributions to space hardware development.[11]

NASA Astronaut Tenure

Selection, Training, and Assignments

Leroy Chiao was selected as an astronaut candidate on January 17, 1990, as part of NASA's 13th astronaut group, which comprised 23 individuals, including 19 pilots and four mission specialists, all holding advanced degrees.[12] At 29 years old, Chiao was the youngest selectee in the group.[13] Chiao completed the standard astronaut candidate training program, which lasted approximately 18 months and covered spacecraft systems, survival skills, and operational procedures, qualifying him as a mission specialist in July 1991.[2] He became certified for flight assignments on the Space Shuttle, Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and as a Space Station commander and science officer.[2] Additional training included extravehicular activity (EVA) procedures, in which he later accumulated over 36 hours across six spacewalks.[2] Following qualification, Chiao's early technical assignments involved development work on rocket upper stages, including the Payload Assist Module (PAM), Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), and Centaur, as well as Space Shuttle software verification for launch countdown and ascent phases.[2] He served as the crew representative for Shuttle flight software and supported simulators such as the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), Shuttle Motion Base Simulator (SMS), and Shuttle Engineering Simulator (SES).[2] Later roles encompassed oversight of crew equipment, Spacelab, Spacehab, payloads, training, flight data files, and EVA operations; he also acted as Chief of the Astronaut Office EVA Branch and contributed to International Space Station development.[2] For his International Space Station assignment, Chiao underwent specialized training in Russia, including Soyuz operations, departing the United States in August 2004 for final preparations.[14]

Space Shuttle Missions

Chiao flew as a mission specialist on three Space Shuttle missions, logging a combined 682 hours in space across these flights.[10] His roles involved payload operations, extravehicular activities (EVAs), and assembly tasks supporting microgravity research and International Space Station (ISS) preparation.[15][16][17] STS-65 (July 8ā€“23, 1994)
Aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-65 launched from Kennedy Space Center on July 8, 1994, as the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) mission, hosting over 80 experiments in life sciences, materials science, and fluid physics conducted in microgravity.[18] Chiao, serving on the Blue Shift crew rotation with astronauts Carl Walz and Donald Thomas, managed experiment setup, monitoring, and data collection, including the first joint flight of two Asian astronauts alongside payload specialist Chiaki Mukai.[18][15] The 236-orbit mission covered 6.0 million kilometers and concluded with landing at Kennedy Space Center after 14 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes, and 1 second.[19] STS-72 (January 11ā€“20, 1996)
Launched on Endeavour from Kennedy Space Center, STS-72 retrieved Japan's Space Flyer Unit (SFU) satellite after 14 months in orbit and deployed the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE) and Spartan-206/LIFE satellite for ultraviolet astronomy observations.[16] Chiao led two EVAs: the first on January 15 with Daniel Barry (6 hours, 9 minutes) to evaluate tools and procedures for future ISS construction, and the second on January 17 with Winston Scott (duration approximately 6.5 hours) to test EVA hardware compatibility.[20][21] The mission, spanning 142 orbits and 6.0 million kilometers, ended after 8 days, 9 hours, 47 minutes, with landing at Kennedy Space Center.[16] STS-92 (October 11ā€“24, 2000)
Flying on Discovery, STS-92 was the 3A assembly mission for the ISS, installing the Z1 integrated truss structure to provide structural framework and power/data interfaces, along with Pressurized Mating Adapter-3 (PMA-3) for future module connections.[17] Chiao conducted two EVAs with William McArthur: the first on October 15 (6 hours, 28 minutes) to outfit Z1 truss connections, and the third on October 17 (6 hours, 48 minutes) to complete power and thermal system activations.[22][23] These contributed to the four total EVAs totaling 27 hours. The 203-orbit flight traversed 8.5 million kilometers over 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes, landing at Kennedy Space Center.[17][24]

International Space Station Expedition

Leroy Chiao served as commander and NASA science officer for Expedition 10, the tenth long-duration mission to the International Space Station, which began with the launch of Soyuz TMA-5 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on October 14, 2004, at 03:06 UTC.[25] The primary crew consisted of Chiao and Russian flight engineer Salizhan Sharipov, with Yuri Shargin serving as a visiting cosmonaut in the third seat; Shargin returned to Earth on October 23, 2004, aboard Soyuz TMA-4 alongside the departing Expedition 9 crew of Gennady Padalka and Michael Fincke following a handover period.[9] Soyuz TMA-5 docked to the Pirs Docking Compartment on October 16, 2004, enabling the Expedition 10 crew to assume control of station operations, including maintenance, scientific research, and preparation for resupply missions.[9] The expedition emphasized microgravity research, with Chiao overseeing U.S. experiments such as the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System (CBOSS) for fluid dynamics studies, the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE) for magnetorheological fluids, and the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) for protein crystal growth, alongside Russian contributions like the Sprut-MBI for motor control analysis and Biorisk for microbial studies.[25][9] Additional efforts included Crew Earth Observations (CEO) photography of global landmarks and environmental changes, Foot/Ground Reaction Forces During Spaceflight (FOOT) to assess muscle adaptations, and educational outreach via EarthKAM student imaging.[25] Resupply was provided by Progress M-51, which docked on December 25, 2004, and Progress M-52 on March 2, 2005, delivering cargo, fuel, and propellant for station upkeep.[25] Chiao also operated the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (Canadarm2) for external tasks and coordinated routine systems checks, including repairs to U.S. spacesuits and replacement of hardware in the Quest Joint Airlock.[9] The crew conducted two extravehicular activities (EVAs) using Russian Orlan spacesuits to advance station capabilities. The first, on January 26, 2005, lasted 5 hours and 28 minutes, during which Chiao and Sharipov installed a work platform on the Zvezda module, deployed the German Rokviss telerobotics experiment, and attached biological and materials science payloads including BioRisk and MPAC/SEEDs.[25] The second EVA, on March 28, 2005, endured 4 hours and 30 minutes, focused on installing a GPS antenna, external cameras, and communications equipment to support future Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) docking operations.[25] These EVAs marked Chiao's fourth and fifth career spacewalks, contributing to external experiment deployment and station readiness.[9] In April 2005, Expedition 11 crew members Sergei Krikalev and John Phillips arrived via Soyuz TMA-6 on April 17, facilitating a handover before Chiao and Sharipov, joined by European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori (who had launched on TMA-6), undocked Soyuz TMA-5 on April 24, 2005, and landed safely in Kazakhstan later that day.[25] The mission spanned 192 days, 19 hours from launch to landing, during which Chiao logged a cumulative 182 days on the ISS across his career at that point, advancing international collaboration and foundational research for long-term human spaceflight.[25][9]

Post-NASA Endeavors

Business Ventures and Consulting

Following his departure from NASA in December 2005, Chiao pursued entrepreneurial opportunities in the commercial space sector, including leadership roles in private ventures focused on space operations and technology startups. In July 2006, he joined Excalibur Almaz Limited, a private company developing reusable spacecraft for orbital tourism and satellite servicing, serving as Executive Vice President for Space Operations and a director until 2011; in this capacity, he oversaw mission planning and integration of Soviet-era hardware with modern systems for human spaceflight applications.[10][26] Chiao co-founded and serves as CEO of OneOrbit LLC, a firm specializing in executive coaching, leadership training, and space-themed educational programs for corporations and institutions, drawing on his astronaut experience to deliver keynotes and workshops on high-performance teams and innovation.[11][27] The company operates internationally, emphasizing practical applications of space mission principles to business challenges such as risk management and cross-cultural collaboration. As an engineering consultant, Chiao has advised on technology commercialization and human spaceflight projects across the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, leveraging his expertise in spacecraft systems and international partnerships to support startups and established firms in advancing space-related enterprises.[28] His consulting work includes strategic guidance for ventures aiming to bridge government and private sector efforts in orbital operations.[6]

Space Policy Advocacy and Public Commentary

Following his NASA career, Chiao has served as a Rice Faculty Scholar in space policy at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, where he contributes to analyses of U.S. civil space programs and international dynamics.[29] In this role and through affiliations like the Space Foundation, he engages in advocacy via media interviews, presentations, and opinion pieces emphasizing sustained U.S. investment in human spaceflight to counter diminishing pioneering momentum and bureaucratic inertia at NASA.[30][31] Chiao has publicly critiqued NASA's evolution into what he describes as a politically driven jobs program, arguing that post-Apollo policy shifts under the Nixon administration redirected goals away from ambitious exploration toward incrementalism, resulting in delays like the Space Launch System's protracted development.[32][33] In a 2014 Senate testimony, he advocated for a Mars-focused human spaceflight strategy, stressing the need for technological innovation and public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable deep-space capabilities rather than reliance on government monopolies.[34] He has recommended canceling the Space Launch System in favor of commercial systems like SpaceX's Starship, citing faster timelines and cost efficiencies demonstrated by private sector reusability advancements.[33] On international competition, Chiao has highlighted China's rapid progressā€”such as its 2019 Chang'e-4 lunar far-side landingā€”as a wake-up call for the U.S. to accelerate its own efforts, warning that sidelining collaboration risks ceding leadership in space exploration.[35][36] As the first American astronaut granted access to China's program, he promotes selective cooperation to build mutual trust and technical exchange, while cautioning against over-dependence on foreign access amid incidents like the 2018 Soyuz abort, which he attributes to inadequate diversified U.S. launch policies.[37][38] Regarding NASA's Artemis program, Chiao expressed optimism in October 2025 commentary about its progress toward a 2027 crewed lunar return, viewing uncrewed milestones like the Artemis I flyby as concrete steps validating the program's viability despite historical political hurdles that delayed prior timelines.[39] He has consistently urged realism in projections, noting in 2020 that overly aggressive deadlines often falter due to congressional earmarks and shifting administrations, but commercial integration offers a path to reliability.[40] Chiao also endorses space tourism and private ventures as drivers of innovation, arguing they expand access and reduce costs without compromising safety through informed consent frameworks.[41][42]

Media Engagements and Educational Outreach

Chiao has provided expert commentary on space exploration through numerous media appearances since retiring from NASA in 2005. He has been interviewed on broadcast outlets including NewsMax on October 18, 2025, discussing the Artemis II mission; BBC and NBC Now on October 13, 2025, regarding SpaceX's Starship Flight Test 11; CNN on August 8, 2025, about the passing of astronaut Jim Lovell; and NewsNation on June 20, 2025, analyzing International Space Station air leaks.[43] He has also appeared on podcasts such as the Sam Dechtman Podcast on May 28, 2025, addressing space missions and leadership, and the Miles Oā€™Brien Podcast on April 2, 2025, covering NASA and human spaceflight prospects.[43] In addition to interviews, Chiao has contributed opinion pieces on space policy and operations, including an article in The National on February 6, 2025, examining potential risks to NASA's Artemis III from diversity, equity, and inclusion policies; a CNN.com piece on February 22, 2024, on one-year Mars simulation studies; and an Insider article on July 11, 2023, discussing rescue challenges for space tourism following the Titan submersible incident.[43] Chiao promotes STEM education through speaking engagements and organizational roles. As a director of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education since 2007, he supports initiatives fostering interest in space science among students.[44][28] He holds academic positions including adjunct professor at Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Space Medicine and Rice Faculty Scholar in space policy at Rice University's Baker Institute.[29] His keynotes, booked via agencies like Washington Speakers Bureau, cover topics such as innovation trends, leadership from space missions, and overcoming complacency, often drawing on personal experiences to inspire audiences.[45] Examples include talks for The Keynote Curators on August 6, 2025, about future space missions and on July 28, 2025, on maintaining composure under stress.[43] Chiao has conducted direct outreach at schools, such as visits organized by the Space Foundation in Boulder in December 2015 and St. Vrain Valley Schools in February 2016, where he shared spaceflight stories to motivate students in STEM fields.[46][47] He addressed incoming students at Rice University's Emerging Owls Program on July 7, 2016, emphasizing perseverance as key to success.[48]

Personal Life and Perspectives

Family and Private Experiences

Chiao was born on August 28, 1960, and raised in Danville, California, by Taiwanese parents who had emigrated from mainland China. He grew up in a bicultural household with two sisters, learning both English and Mandarin amid a predominantly white community.[14] Chiao married Karen Chiao, a photographer with a Dutch father, in 2003.[5] The couple has twins, Henry and Caroline, born following Chiao's NASA retirement; Caroline's name honors her maternal grandmother, Carol.[5][49] Post-2005, Chiao settled with his family in a Houston suburb, balancing private life with entrepreneurial pursuits.[7] Among his personal interests, Chiao pilots a Grumman Tiger aircraft and engages in downhill skiing.[24]

Encounters with Unidentified Phenomena

During a spacewalk on March 28, 2005, as part of Expedition 10 aboard the International Space Station, Leroy Chiao observed five bright lights moving in formation approximately 230 miles above Earth while traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour.[50] [51] The sighting initially caused Chiao concern, as he described his "heart leap[ing] up into [his] throat" due to the proximity and coordinated movement, prompting fears of a potential collision or threat.[52] Subsequent investigation by NASA attributed the lights to burn-off flares from oil platforms or bright lights from a fishing vessel off the Mexican coast, visible despite the distance due to the clarity of space and atmospheric conditions.[51] [50] In August 2024, while piloting his private Grumman AA-5B Tiger aircraft en route from Colorado to Houston at an altitude of about 9,000 feet over the Texas panhandle, Chiao encountered two metallic orbs that approached rapidly without prior detection on air traffic control or visual warning.[53] [54] Described as smooth, shiny spheres roughly three feet in diameter, the objects passed within 20 feet of his plane in clear weather, exhibiting no visible propulsion, rotors, or exhaust, and producing no audible sound.[55] [56] Chiao reported evasive maneuvers to avoid collision, later filing a report with the Federal Aviation Administration, which confirmed no corresponding aircraft or drone activity in the area.[57] [58] Chiao has characterized the 2024 incident as unresolved, speculating they could be advanced drones but expressing skepticism due to their size, speed, and lack of regulatory coordination, which would violate FAA guidelines for unmanned aerial vehicles.[53] [59] He emphasized the potential safety risks to aviation, advocating for greater transparency in unidentified aerial phenomena investigations without endorsing extraterrestrial origins.[60] These experiences align with Chiao's broader commentary on UAPs as phenomena warranting scientific scrutiny rather than dismissal, drawing from his astronaut background where unexplained observations demand empirical verification.[61]

Views on Space Exploration and Policy

Leroy Chiao has consistently advocated for robust U.S. leadership in human spaceflight, emphasizing the need for sustained political and financial commitment to prevent the nation from ceding ground to competitors like China. In a 2015 opinion piece, he argued that the United States risks losing its position as the leader of international space coalitions if it excludes emerging powers, stating, "By bringing China into the ISS program and into future exploration plans, we can and should remain the leader of the international coalition, as we push farther into space."[36] He has warned that without proactive engagement, the U.S. may "end up having to simply watch the ascendency of Chinaā€™s human spaceflight program."[36] Chiao has criticized specific U.S. space policy decisions, particularly the 2004 choice under President George W. Bush to retire the Space Shuttle without adequate alternatives, leading to over-reliance on Russia's Soyuz vehicle after 2011. In a 2018 op-ed following a Soyuz launch abort, he highlighted how this "willfully and knowingly made" decision, reaffirmed in 2009 under President Barack Obama, exposed vulnerabilities, including the risk of losing the International Space Station to uncontrolled reentry and a potential $100 billion loss.[37] He recommended accelerating commercial providers like SpaceX and Blue Origin to ensure reliable access, noting their rapid progress as evidence of viable alternatives to government monopolies.[37] During 2014 Senate testimony, Chiao urged extension of the ISS to at least 2028 for research enabling beyond-low-Earth-orbit missions, alongside development of a lunar base as a precursor to Mars using systems like the Space Launch System and Orion capsule. He supported commercial crew programs for low-Earth orbit to allow NASA to prioritize deep-space exploration, while calling for realistic budgeting and renewed contracts for biomedical research like the National Space Biomedical Research Institute.[34] Chiao has expressed optimism for the Artemis program, describing it in 2025 as "an exciting step towards returning humans to the moon" by 2027, with potential to build momentum for sustained lunar presence and Mars ambitions.[39] Overall, Chiao views space exploration as a domain where the U.S. has historically taken its dominance for granted, advocating for integrated international plans with consistent resources to maintain technological edge and geopolitical influence.[62] His perspectives, informed by service on the Augustine Commission and recent appointments to White House review panels, stress causal links between policy continuity and mission success, prioritizing empirical risks like launch reliability over short-term fiscal constraints.[26]

Recognitions and Legacy

Spaceflight and NASA Honors

Leroy Chiao flew four missions for NASA between 1994 and 2005, accumulating over 180 days in space across Space Shuttle flights and a command of the International Space Station.[1] His first flight, STS-65 aboard Columbia from July 8 to July 23, 1994, supported the International Microgravity Laboratory-2 (IML-2), involving 82 microgravity experiments in life sciences, materials science, and technology development.[1] During STS-72 on Endeavour from January 11 to 20, 1996, Chiao operated the Spartan-206 satellite for astrophysics observations and participated in the first successful recovery of a free-flying spacecraft by the Shuttle's Remote Manipulator System.[1] On STS-92 aboard Discovery from October 11 to 24, 2000, he contributed to International Space Station assembly by installing the Z1 truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter-3, performing one spacewalk to connect power and data cables.[1] Chiao's final NASA mission was as commander of Expedition 10, launching October 14, 2004, aboard Soyuz TMA-5 with cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov, and returning April 24, 2005, after 192 days in orbit.[1] During this increment, he conducted science operations, two spacewalks in Russian Orlan suits totaling over 13 hours to maintain and upgrade station systems, and served as NASA's science officer, overseeing experiments in human physiology, combustion, and Earth observation.[1] For his contributions, Chiao received four NASA Space Flight Medals, awarded for each mission in 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2005.[1] He also earned the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 2005, recognizing exceptional leadership and service during Expedition 10 command.[1] These honors reflect his technical expertise in engineering tasks, extravehicular activities, and international collaboration on the ISS.[1]

Broader Professional Accolades

Chiao received the Blue Cloud Leadership Award from the China Institute on May 29, 2015, recognizing his entrepreneurial endeavors, advisory roles in space policy, and contributions to U.S.-China relations in science and technology.[63][64] In 2013, he was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame by the Space Foundation for his role in advancing diagnostic ultrasound technology for use aboard the International Space Station, enabling remote medical assessments that influenced terrestrial healthcare innovations.[65][10] Chiao holds fellowship in the Explorers Club, an organization established in 1904 to honor achievements in field sciences, geography, and exploration, reflecting his broader impacts in space-related discovery and education.[11][66] Earlier alumni recognitions include the Taylor A. Borradaile National Alumnus of the Year Award from Phi Kappa Tau in 1996 and the Nu Chapter Alumnus of the Year in 1991, acknowledging his professional accomplishments as an engineer and emerging leader.[24]

References

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  34. From Here to Mars: Senate Testimony of Astronaut Leroy Chiao
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  51. How to crack weird space cases - NBC News
  52. Did NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao have a UFO encounter in 2005?
  53. Former NASA Astronaut Puzzled by Metallic Orbs He Encountered ...
  54. NASA commander had near-collision with two 'metallic orbs' in ...
  55. NASA Astronaut Says 2 'Metallic Orbs' Almost Hit His Plane at ... - VICE
  56. Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao recalls sighting mysterious ...
  57. Amid UFO sightings, ex-NASA pilot claims he nearly collided with ...
  58. Mysterious flying orbs nearly hit former NASA astronaut's plane
  59. 'Smooth, Shiny' Spheres 'Came Right At' NASA Astronaut Flying ...
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  64. Dr. Leroy Chiao Joins Space Foundation
  65. Space Technology Hall of FameĀ® Inductees Honored at Three ...
  66. Leroy Chiao - Committee of 100
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