Expert Voices Leroy Chiao: Astronaut issues and space exploration

Leroy Chiao Portrait
A portrait of former astronaut Leroy Chiao, who commanded the International Space Station during his 15-year NASA career.

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, and is the special advisor for human spaceflight to the Space Foundation. Chiao has worked extensively in both government and commercial space programs, and has held leadership positions in commercial ventures and NASA. 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.

Related Topics: Expert Voices, Expert Voices - Don Lincoln, Expert Voices - Paul Sutter, Expert Voices - Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Expert Voices - The Kavli Foundation 

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Latest about expert voices leroy chiao