Chris Lewicki

Chris Lewicki

Advisor, XPRIZE

Chris Lewicki is an entrepreneur, engineer and “near-futurist” focused on the economic development of space. He is fascinated by exponential technologies, integrating ideas from disparate industries, and creating space infrastructure upon which generations of progress can be made. He is most interested in increasing the in-space demand for infrastructure and services in space. Chris co-founded and as CEO led Planetary Resources, the asteroid mining company, launching satellites, creating new space policy, and changing the public discourse on space mining. He helped design, build and operate the Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, as well as the Phoenix Mars Lander while at NASA. He is the recipient of two NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals, and has asteroid 13609 Lewicki named in his honor.

Hadfield has flown three space missions, built two space stations, performed two spacewalks, crewed the Shuttle and Soyuz, and in 2013 named the commander of the International Space Station for six months off planet. 

Formerly NASA’s director of operations, Hadfield is a heavily decorated astronaut, engineer, and pilot whose many awards include the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Cross, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was named the Top Test Pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.

An internationally bestselling author, Hadfield has written three books: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, You Are Here; his children’s book, The Darkest Dark and the critically acclaimed The Apollo Murders — a thriller set in space and his first fiction novel. Hadfield also released a musical album, Space Sessions: Songs From a Tin Can, and is featured on Ted.com for his talk, “What I Learned from Going Blind in Space”, which has been viewed more than 11 million times. 

Hadfield is the co-creator and host of the internationally acclaimed BBC series Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?, as well as the co-host, with actor Will Smith, of National Geographic’s One Strange Rock, directed by Darren Aronofsky. He also produces the celebrated Rare Earth series on YouTube and is the creator of the on-stage celebration Generator, which combines science, comedy, and music. 

Additionally, Hadfield is an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo and with Masterclass online, an adviser to SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, and chair of the board of the Open Lunar Foundation.