Claude Nicollier

With over 30 years' experience at the European Space Agency, Claude Nicollier was the first Swiss citizen to travel into space. Over the course of his career, Claude has gained incomparable experience on Space Shuttle missions, Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions and as the Lead ESA Astronaut in Houston. As a speaker, he uses this experience to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, desperate to hear his "out of this world" anecdotes and thrilling career. Entertaining, dedicated and confident on stage, an event featuring Claude benefits from the unique perspective of an astronaut.

Starting as an airline pilot in 1974, Claude joined a Fellowship at the European Space Agency four years later. During the late 1970s, he worked on several influential projects, specifically, airborne infrared astronomy programs. Recognised for his hard work, Claude was handpicked to join a group of European astronauts by ESA, later headhunted by NASA in 1980. Claude's ability to set and achieve his goals is a skill that he instills in his audience, inspiring them to achieve their own professional and personal aspirations.

While on technical assignments, he worked on flight software, satellite systems and robotics support on the International Space Station. Claude's after dinner speeches depict his early career, exploring the journey he went on to reach the peak of space travel. From one to 1000 hours in space, which translates to 42 whole days, Claude's audience are eager to learn about his missions. Claude's first spaceflight was in 1992, as a Mission Specialist aboard Atlantis, followed by another flight on Endeavour the following year.

Working on the Hubble Space Telescope, Claude was responsible for servicing the iconic piece of machinery. In 1999, aboard the prestigious Space Shuttle Discovery, Claude embarked on his final flight. He endured a physically and mentally taxing eight hour spacewalk, a respectable achievement for many astronauts. In doing so, Claude became the first ESA astronaut to do so. In 2011, Claude gave a speech at the Starmus Festival titled Revisiting Hubble, which was later published in Starmus: 50 Years of Man in Space. No stranger to the stage, upon returning to Earth Claude has made a name for himself on the speaking circuit. Entertaining and informative, his presentations are greatly anticipated by audiences, who revel in the magic of an astronaut's story.