Colonel Rick Searfoss - Biography

The Real "Right Stuff" Human space flight:

Dynamic, challenging, difficult.
A perfect model for any ambitious venture.

Former astronaut Rick Searfoss was the Chief Judge for the highly successful and innovative Ansari X Prize competition for a $10 million prize to the first private team to develop and fly a reusable human-carrying spacecraft.

The X Prize Foundation chose Rick for this crucial position because of his combined expertise as a real-world leader and Space Shuttle mission commander, key spokesperson as a noted expert professional speaker on leadership, teamwork, and innovation, and technical expert as an experienced astronaut and test pilot.

Rick continues to stay right in the middle in some of today's most innovative leading-edge projects: Vice President of the Zero Gravity Corporation, XCOR Aerospace Corporation flight test, leader and spokesperson for numerous space entrepreneurial ventures.

These ventures offer the most innovative team-based development projects of the new millennium and are incredible models for nimble, effective, exciting business ideas in all industries. Rick's out-of-this-world presentations are timely, content-rich, exciting the perfect real "right stuff" to launch your next event!

The astronauts must demonstrate the right qualities and perform to the most exacting standards as individuals and teams - too much is at stake for anything less. And as one of less than a hundred people ever who have actually commanded a human space mission, Colonel Searfoss speaks on leadership, teamwork, and personal performance with the authority born of in-depth personal experience.

He has piloted two Space Shuttle missions and commanded a third, with over 939 hours in space and 5400 hours flying time in 61 different types of aircraft. His first space flight in 1993 set the record for the longest duration Space Shuttle mission. In 1996 he piloted Atlantis to the Russian space station Mir. With the STS-90 "Neurolab" mission on Columbia in 1998, Rick commanded the most complex scientific research space mission ever flown, with unparalleled mission success.

Rick has over twenty-five years experience as a leader in some of the most demanding team endeavors possible - human space flight, test flying, and tactical military aviation. Unsurpassed credibility and experience coupled with "out-of-this-world speaking skills!

Commitment and Character - Colonel Searfoss was the number one graduate in his United States Air Force Academy class overall, academically, in engineering, and in the Aeronautical Engineering major.

He later earned a graduate degree from the California Institute of Technology on a National Science Foundation Fellowship. Selected for Outstanding Young Men of America, he is also a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons (Topgun) School and U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. His many awards include the Tactical Air Command F-111 Instructor Pilot of the Year, Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory Excellence in Turbine Engine Design Award, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.

As a real-world leader, team builder, and outstanding achiever, Rick brings that same dedication to communicating the principles of success to every group he speaks to. Charisma and Compassion with compelling firsthand examples, Rick speaks from the heart to share the lessons and awe-inspiring wonders from human space flight.

His stunning multimedia presentations teach, inspire, and move to action: unique, entertaining, moving, and valuable. Let him take your group on a thrilling, uplifting, and enlightening "Mach 25" journey of unsurpassed performance, teamwork, and leadership discovery! "Sharing the achievement, teamwork, and leadership lessons of human space flight while bringing the wonder of Space to Earth for all to enjoy."