Chris Hadfield

“Good morning, Earth.” That’s how Colonel Chris Hadfield — writing on Twitter — woke up the world every day while living aboard the International Space Station for over five months.

Hadfield has become a worldwide sensation, harnessing the power of social media to make outer space accessible to millions and infusing a sense of wonder into the collective consciousness not felt since man first walked on the moon. Called “the most famous astronaut since Neil Armstrong” by the BBC, Hadfield continues to bring the glory of science and space travel to everyone he encounters.

In 1992, Hadfield was selected by the Canadian Space Agency as a NASA mission specialist — Canada’s first fully-qualified space shuttle crewmember. He was the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in space and to board a Russian spacecraft as he helped build the Russian space station ‘Mir’. In 2001, he performed two spacewalks — the first Canadian to do so — and in 2010, the CSA and NASA announced Hadfield’s third mission: commanding the International Space Station (ISS); again, a first for a Canadian. Hadfield launched into space on December 19, 2012, and took command of the ISS in March. His multiple daily Tweets and photographs from space made people see the world differently.

Hadfield’s awards include receiving the Order of Ontario, the Meritorious Service Cross, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was named the top test pilot in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy and has been inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. He is also commemorated on Canadian postage stamps, Royal Canadian Mint silver and gold coins, and on Canada’s new five-dollar bill.

He is the author of the international bestsellers An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, You Are Here, and The Darkest Dark plus a new thriller novel, The Apollo Murders.