Leroy Chiao is a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station (ISS) commander. Chiao holds appointments at Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine. Chiao has worked extensively in both government and commercial space programs, and has held leadership positions in commercial ventures and NASA. Chiao is a fellow of the Explorers Club, and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Committee of 100. Chiao also serves in various capacities to further space education. In his 15 years with NASA, Chiao logged more than 229 days in space, more than 36 hours spent in Extra-Vehicular Activity (spacewalks). From June to September 2009, he served as a member of the White House appointed Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, and currently serves on the NASA Advisory Council. Chiao studied chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983. He continued his studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, earning his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 1985 and 1987. Prior to joining NASA in 1990, he worked as a research engineer at Hexcel Corp. and then at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Dr. Chiao left NASA in December, 2005 following a 15-year career with the agency. Chiao studied chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983. He continued his studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, earning his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 1985 and 1987. Prior to joining NASA in 1990, he worked as a research engineer at Hexcel Corp. and then at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
Latest articles by Leroy Chiao

By Leroy Chiao Published
I grew up in the 1960s, during the beginning of the space race. The first astronauts were my heroes, and it was the Apollo 11 moon landing that kicked off my dream of becoming an astronaut myself.

By Leroy Chiao Published
The dramatic Soyuz rocket launch abort and an earlier Progress failure highlight poor policy decisions on access to space, astronaut Leroy Chiao says.

By Leroy Chiao Published
It has been 60 years since the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, Earth's first artificial satellite.

By Leroy Chiao Published
Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao may have commanded a real-life space station, but "Star Trek" gave him an early push.

By Leroy Chiao Published
During my first spaceflight aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, I watched, incredulous, as Hurricane Emilia churned as a Category 5 storm.

By Leroy Chiao Published
During my mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), I shot what I was told was the first astronaut video of a partial eclipse.

By Leroy Chiao Published
Recently, NASA announced its newest class of astronauts, Group 22 — and it brought me back to my own selection as part of Group 13 back in 1990.

By Leroy Chiao Published
Since the early 1970s, we seem to always be about 20 years away from landing astronauts on Mars.

By Leroy Chiao Published

By Leroy Chiao Published
When you've spent months in space, what's it like to come home? Unique perspective from retired ISS commander Leroy Chiao.

By Leroy Chiao Published
How does Star Wars's space opera look to someone who's actually been in space?

By Leroy Chiao, Elliot Pulham Published
Mars can wait — NASA must first go back to the moon.

By Leroy Chiao Published
"The Martian" gets astronauts right, suggests AstroCritic and former ISS commander Leroy Chiao.

By Leroy Chiao Published
The emotions of "Interstellar" ring true to those who've been in space, says AstroCritic and former ISS commander Leroy Chiao.

By Leroy Chiao Published
If Russians can send the Olympic torch into space, why can't Americans find ways to inspire interest in space?

By Leroy Chiao Published
Is 'Ender's Game' true to the original story?
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