Shift Your Perspective. Transform Your Future.
Ron Garan
Astronaut Keynote Speaker | Former NASA Commander
As a highly decorated fighter pilot, test pilot, and NASA astronaut who spent 178 days in space, Ron Garan brings a truly unique perspective to every keynote. His transformative "orbital perspective" inspires audiences to innovate, collaborate, and tackle their greatest challenges with renewed vision and purpose.
A Keynote Speaker Who Delivers Real Transformation
Ron Garan isn't your typical motivational speaker. As one of the few people on Earth who've experienced the "orbital perspective"—seeing our planet from space—he brings insights that fundamentally shift how audiences approach leadership, innovation, and teamwork. When you book Ron for your event, you're giving your audience something they can't get anywhere else: lessons learned from the most extreme environments imaginable, delivered by someone who's lived them.
During his time on the International Space Station, Ron witnessed something profound: Earth as a borderless, fragile oasis floating in darkness. This perspective transformed his understanding of what's possible when diverse teams unite around a shared mission. As a keynote speaker, Ron translates these experiences into actionable strategies your organization can implement immediately—whether you're navigating change, building high-performing teams, or driving innovation in uncertain times.
Through stunning space imagery and compelling storytelling drawn from combat missions, spacewalks, and social entrepreneurship, Ron creates keynote experiences that resonate long after your event ends. His presentations are customized for your industry and goals, ensuring your audience walks away with practical insights they can apply to their biggest challenges. Meeting planners consistently praise Ron's ability to inspire action while maintaining genuine humility and authenticity.
What Your Audience Will Learn
True collaboration emerges from open, honest dialogue that unlocks exponential opportunities—even in the most chaotic, rapidly changing environments.
Earned trust forms the foundation of every successful relationship, whether leading a team, serving customers, or partnering across organizational boundaries.
Change and uncertainty create the greatest opportunities for growth when leaders adopt the right mindset and perspective.
Multi-dimensional thinking—balancing short-term wins with long-term vision and individual goals with collective needs—produces sustainable, effective solutions.
Watch Ron's Keynote Speaker Demo Reel
"Ron Garan delivered the perfect opening keynote to start our conference"
His unique orbital perspective not only inspired our very international and diverse audience, it also put things into perspective, big time. I would recommend Ron for virtually any kind of event where people wish to be inspired.
Why Meeting Planners Choose Ron
When you book an astronaut keynote speaker, you want someone who can translate extraordinary experiences into actionable business insights. Ron Garan excels at this. His career spans military combat, space exploration, and social entrepreneurship—giving him a rare combination of perspectives that resonate with diverse audiences.
As a decorated fighter pilot, Ron flew 45 combat missions in Desert Shield/Desert Storm before becoming an instructor pilot at the Air Force's elite Fighter Weapons School. NASA selected him as an astronaut in 2000, where he completed two space missions, served as Space Station Commander, and logged 27 hours and 3 minutes on four spacewalks. Beyond his military and space credentials, Ron founded the Manna Energy Foundation and co-created Manna Energy Limited, bringing clean water to millions in Africa.
This diverse background means Ron doesn't just inspire—he provides practical frameworks your teams can implement. Whether addressing corporate conferences, leadership summits, or association meetings, he customizes every keynote to your organization's specific challenges and goals.
Credentials & Recognition
Military & Space Honors:
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• NASA Distinguished Service Medal
• Russian Medal for Merit in Space Exploration
• 178 days in space, 71+ million miles traveled
Author & Thought Leader:
• Bestselling author of "The Orbital Perspective"
• TED speaker with millions of views
• Founded Manna Energy Foundation
• Featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company
Speaking Experience:
• Presented for Fortune 500 companies globally
• Keynote speaker at major conferences worldwide
• Virtual and in-person presentation expertise
• Customized content for every audience
Frequently Asked Questions About Booking Ron Garan
What makes Ron Garan different from other keynote speakers?
Ron brings a perspective that fewer than 600 people in human history have experienced—seeing Earth from space. This "orbital perspective" isn't just a metaphor; it's a transformative viewpoint that fundamentally shifts how audiences approach collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving. As both an astronaut keynote speaker and combat veteran, Ron combines extraordinary experiences with practical business insights. His presentations deliver actionable strategies grounded in extreme environments, making him uniquely qualified to help organizations navigate change and uncertainty.
What keynote topics does Ron Garan speak about?
Ron customizes every keynote presentation to align with your event goals and industry. Popular topics include leadership and risk management, innovation under pressure, building high-performing teams across diverse backgrounds, corporate social responsibility, embracing change and technology, and finding unity during divisive times. Each presentation draws from his experiences as a NASA astronaut, combat fighter pilot, test pilot, and social entrepreneur. Whether your audience needs inspiration for a leadership summit, strategies for an innovation forum, or practical tools for change management, Ron delivers content that resonates and drives results.
Does Ron Garan offer virtual keynote presentations?
Yes. Ron delivers exceptional virtual keynote experiences with the same energy and impact as in-person events. His virtual presentations feature stunning space imagery, compelling storytelling, and interactive elements that keep remote audiences fully engaged throughout. He's experienced with all major virtual event platforms including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and specialized conference software. Ron can also customize the technical setup to match your specific needs, whether you're hosting a small executive retreat or a large-scale virtual conference with thousands of attendees.
How long is Ron's typical keynote speech?
Ron's keynote presentations are typically 45-60 minutes, including audience Q&A. However, he's highly flexible and can adjust timing to fit your event schedule perfectly. Whether you need a powerful 30-minute opening keynote to energize your conference, a 60-minute main stage presentation, or a 90-minute deep-dive session with extended Q&A, Ron works with meeting planners to create the ideal experience. He can also participate in panel discussions, breakout sessions, or executive roundtables as part of your event programming.
Can Ron customize his keynote for our specific industry?
Absolutely. Ron works closely with event organizers and meeting planners to understand your organization's specific challenges, goals, audience demographics, and desired outcomes. He incorporates industry-specific examples and tailors his message to resonate with your unique context. Whether your audience works in technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, nonprofit, education, or any other sector, Ron ensures his keynote speaks directly to their experiences and provides practical insights they can apply immediately. This customization is included as part of his standard speaking engagement process.
What can we expect from working with Select Voices to book Ron Garan?
Select Voices operates as a boutique speaker bureau, which means you receive personalized attention throughout the entire booking process. We know Ron personally and have complete confidence in his ability to deliver an exceptional keynote experience for your event. We handle all logistics including contracts, travel arrangements, technical requirements, and pre-event coordination. You'll work directly with us to ensure every detail aligns with your vision—from customizing Ron's presentation content to coordinating arrival times and AV needs. Our goal is making your event a success while providing a seamless, stress-free booking experience.
Book Astronaut Keynote Speaker Ron Garan for Your Event
Ready to bring Ron's transformative orbital perspective to your next conference, leadership summit, or corporate event? We know Ron personally and trust him completely to deliver an exceptional keynote experience. Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch within 24 hours to discuss availability, pricing, and how we can customize Ron's presentation for your audience.