Garrett Reisman

Former NASA Astronaut, SpaceX Director of Space Operations & USC Professor of Astronautics Practice

Garrett Reisman Biography:

Garrett Reisman is a former NASA astronaut, engineer and academic whose career has helped shape modern human spaceflight. Best known for completing 107 days in space and three spacewalks, Garrett is a seasoned keynote speaker who translates extraordinary missions into practical lessons for organisations. Currently serving as Professor of Astronautics Practice at the University of Southern California, he is also a respected advisor within the commercial space sector, following a senior leadership career at SpaceX.

Garrett’s path began with a strong academic foundation. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Programme in Management and Technology, earning dual degrees in economics and mechanical engineering, before completing a Master’s and PhD in mechanical engineering at Caltech. He started his professional career as an engineer at General Motors in 1988, later moving into aerospace roles at Hughes Aircraft and TRW. In 2001, he achieved a defining milestone when he was selected as a NASA Astronaut, a position that launched him into one of the most influential space careers of his generation.

In 2008, Garrett flew on STS 123 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, joining Expeditions 16 and 17 on the International Space Station as a flight engineer. He returned to Earth on STS 124, having completed one spacewalk during that mission. In 2010, he flew again on STS 132 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis, carrying out two further spacewalks and contributing to critical assembly work on the ISS. Garrett was also the first Jewish crew member on the International Space Station, marking an important cultural milestone in the history of space exploration. After leaving NASA in 2011, he joined SpaceX as a senior engineer and was later promoted to Director of Crew Operations and then Director of Space Operations, playing a central role in preparing the company for human spaceflight. In 2023, the Monmouth Museum dedicated the Garrett Reisman Center for Air and Space in his honour, recognising his impact on science education and exploration.

Why Hire Garrett Reisman?

Event organisers hire Garrett because he offers rare, lived insight into leadership where failure is not an option. He speaks on innovation at NASA and SpaceX, risk management lessons drawn from Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia, coping with isolation, and the future of human spaceflight. Garrett connects these themes directly to business performance, decision making and resilience under pressure. Audiences leave with practical strategies, clear thinking and a renewed sense of possibility shaped by someone who has quite literally seen the world from a different perspective.

Garrett Reisman’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Garrett Reisman’s remarkable career in aerospace:

• 2025 – Published commentary on NASA workforce and safety culture in The Space Review
• 2023 – Garrett Reisman Center for Air & Space dedicated in his honour by the Monmouth Museum
• 2023 – Astronaut Advisor, Vast
• 2018 – Professor of Astronautical Engineering, University of Southern California
• 2016 – Director of Space Operations, SpaceX
• 2014 – Director of Crew Operations, SpaceX
• 2001 – Selected as Astronaut, NASA
• 1988 – Engineer, General Motors