Ron Garan

About

Having enjoyed an illustrious career that has cemented Colonel Ron Garan’s place as one of the world’s most influential individuals, the iconic father of three is a decorated NASA Astronaut, Fighter Pilot, and Test Pilot, Humanitarian and Social Entrepreneur.

As part of a select group of individuals who have been fortunate enough to see the world from space, Ron champions his ‘Orbital Perspective’ message to improve life on earth. Ron is celebrated not just for his research in space, but for his humanitarian contribution to life on earth.

Ron has spent 178 days in space and has traveled more than 71 million miles in 2,842 orbits of our planet. He flew on both the US Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz spacecraft where he has accomplished four spacewalks. Ron also spent 18 days at the bottom of the ocean during a research mission held in the world’s only undersea research lab, Aquarius.

Later, Ron was assigned to the US Agency for International Development, leading the Unity Node project. Their task was to develop a universal, open-source platform, enabling humanitarian organizations to work towards mutual goals. In 2007 Ron founded Manna Energy Ltd. Created with the goal of leveraging the Carbon Market to finance humanitarian projects, Manna Energy Ltd is the first organization in the world to register a United Nations Clean Development Mechanism carbon credit program for water treatment.

From representing Manna Energy Ltd as one of ten global innovators in the field of water purification during the inaugural Launch Water Forum to his role as advisor to the Social Business movement, Ron continues to work towards a cleaner, safer and more peaceful planet. Ron’s breakthrough book The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles, is published by Berrett-Koehler.

Ron’s next book, Floating In Darkness, will be launching in 2021.

"Ron Garan has returned from his space missions not as someone who believes himself to be above us all, but as someone who remains down to Earth. Someone who knows that we are part of something bigger. What Ron has started around the world has made a deep impression on me and the 800 young leaders at the Pathfinder Conference."

Dr. Rüdiger Grube, Chairman and CEO, Deutsche Bahn AG

"Ron Garan delivered an extremely inspirational and thought provoking address at the 2013 Association of MBAs’ Conference for International Deans and Directors. His personal insight into a field that very few of us will ever get to experience combined with strong messages and lessons for the audience ensured that his participation was one of the highlights of the event. Delegate feedback reflected this. I would not hesitate to recommend Ron for other conferences as someone who has a unique story and is able to tell it in a way that delivers at both the inspirational and educational level."

Sir Paul Judge, President, Association of MBAs

"His thesis that 'Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe' rings powerfully true."

Publisher's Weekly on Orbital Perspective

"This is more than just a book; it is a call to action and a catalyst for a necessary movement. This is a defining book for a defining time in human history".

Daniel Epstein, Founder and CEO, Unreasonable Group on Orbital Perspective

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