In this guest-hosted episode Clive Steeper from episode 1 talks to engineer, physician, and former astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk about the preparation and training needed for astronauts to operate effectively on space missions, and how these skills are also relevant for leadership more generally.

Robert reflects on training for astronauts, non-technical skills in space missions, adapting back to life on Earth, providing healthcare on deep space missions, AI-enabled technologies for space exploration, and the benefits of the space programme for society.

About Dr. Robert Thirsk
Dr. Robert Thirsk was born and raised in western Canada. He received degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Bob also holds a Doctorate of Medicine from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Bob has flown on two space missions as a member of the Canadian Space Agency’s astronaut corps. He first flew aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1996 with six international crewmates as part of the Life and Microgravity Spacelab Mission. His second flight in 2009 was a six-month expedition aboard the International Space Station. Bob and his five Station crew mates performed multidisciplinary research, robotic operations and maintenance of spacecraft systems and payloads.

Following his astronaut career, Bob served as a vice-president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and then as Chancellor of the University of Calgary. He remains in close contact with the Canadian Space Agency, his former employer, to pursue a leadership role for Canada in the delivery of remote health care to astronauts who will someday venture to deep space on daring missions of exploration. 

Find out more about Dr Robert Thirsk via website | Twitter | LinkedIn 

Key Quotes

• "I grew up in a magical time. I grew up in the 1960s."
• "Training is our currency of trade."
• “The difference between a good astronaut and a great astronaut is mastery of those non-technical skills."
• "Failure is not something to be hidden or backed away from. Astronauts embrace failure."
• “As the space age opens up and we have the opportunity to fly a more diverse group of people in space, we need to start flying communicators and artists."
• "I hope that my legacy will be that I brought great benefit to the world. I helped make the world a better place."

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Producer: Sue Stockdale
Sound Editor: Matias De Ezcurra