Jerry Linenger

Adventurer / Explorer

Astronaut, Epidemiologist and Hero

About

Gender: Male

Nationality: United States

Languages: English

Travels from: United States

Engagement Types

Themes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Biography Highlights

Jerry Linenger survived what has been described as “one of the most dangerous missions in space history”–an out-of control spacecraft tumbling through darkness, and on fire. He encourages us to rise to the occasion, confront our challenges and put life into perspective.

Biography

Physician, epidemiologist, U.S. Navy flight surgeon, medical researcher, and NASA astronaut, Jerry Linenger M.D., M.P.H., M.S.S.M., Ph.D. epitomizes loyalty, high performance, and dedication to duty. Living for five months aboard the famously failing Russian space station Mir, Captain Linenger thrived in the face of seemingly overwhelming, life-threatening challenges. These included repeated failures of life support systems, a near-collision with an out-of-control incoming spacecraft, and computer failures leading to a power-dead spacecraft tumbling through space.

On top of these challenges, Astronaut Linenger survived what was reported to be the “worst fire ever aboard an orbiting spacecraft” that threatened to pierce the hull, create a rapid decompression, and suffocate all aboard.

Captain Linenger knows how to accomplish mission goals despite unforeseen challenges. He makes no excuses, gets the job done, and never gives up.

The crew accomplished all mission goals: Shuttle Atlantis docking, spacewalking, a Soyuz fly-around, and all 120 science experiments. At mission completion, Astronaut Linenger logged the equivalent distance of 110 round trips to the moon at a speed of 17,500 mph. He was the first American to conduct a spacewalk in a foreign spacesuit and held the endurance record for an American man at mission completion—a true pioneer.

Videos

Media, podcast appearances and interviews

Topics

Challenges and Change: My 132 Days Off the Planet

Jerry Linenger shares his amazing personal story based on his experiences aboard the Russian space station Mir. Painting pictures with words, Linenger puts you in the spacecraft with him. He recounts not only the events of the mission, but also candidly shares his feelings of frustration and fear along with the determination and courage he used to survive. Having overcome great odds to achieve success, he challenges the audience to embrace change, rise to the occasion, and confront challenges. He emphasizes the role of preparation to achieve mission goals. His message is genuine and spoken by someone who has put his own life on the line. Audiences will learn how to:

Tap into their inner strength and achieve more than they thought possible
Give freely: Personal sacrifice may be required for the greater good
Find the courage to overcome any obstacle
Discover greater meaning in their professional and personal lives

Available: In person, Virtually

Jerry'S

TESTIMONIALS

Jerry had the entire audience in awe. He told an incredible story, wove in relevant examples to the audience, and was clearly passionate about the subject matter. His sincerity and humility is astounding.

Technology

Jerry Linenger is an excellent speaker! There was not a person in the room who was not completely engrossed in his every word. I felt that he was speaking directly to me. I came away feeling lighter – Amazing!

Paper

Jerry Linenger was a huge success! His story resonated with everyone.

Food

Your heroism is truly inspiring. We were spellbound as you shared your experiences. Your story brought to life the importance of courage, perseverance, and ingenuity in the face of great adversity-and it touched all of our hearts.

Financial Services

Jerry was great tonight! He was so animated in telling his story and our audience loved him. We received great feedback.

Financial Services

Books

Letters from MIR: An Astronaut's Letters to His Son

An inspiring, deeply moving testament to the timelessness of paternal love Dr. Jerry Linenger’s 132 days aboard the decaying Russian space station Mir were beset by power outages that left the crew in total darkness and tumbling out of control, poisonous chemical leaks, and near collisions with space debris. Most terrifying of all was a raging fire that, in a matter of minutes, nearly destroyed the station and all on board. It was with that last event, when, with the crew cut off from the world below and locked in a battle for survival, Linenger’s letters to his son changed from a routine chronicle of daily events into the eloquent, deeply moving serial narrative presented in Letters from Mir. Combining wise meditations on life, destiny, and the future of space exploration with wryly playful observations on everyday life, this openended conversation between a father and his beloved son is as contemporary as the latest Mars Explorer mission, yet as timeless as the paternal sentiments they express.

Off The Planet: Surviving Five Perilous Months Aboard The Space Station MIR

It was like nothing on Earth. ‘An unvarnished account of his near-disastrous stay, in 1997, on Russia’s creaky space station…an engrossing report that NASA’s publicity machine will bemoan’ – “Booklist”. ‘[Linenger’s] frank, personable prose shows readers what it’s like to be an astronaut – or at least to be this particular astronaut, trying, along with his Russian companions, to live and work with good humor on an 11-year-old, half-broken, famously flammable space station as its air fills with antifreeze that is leaking out of shoddy cooling lines; – “Publishers Weekly”. ‘NASA astronaut Linenger spent five months aboard the Russian space station Mir, a spacecraft operating far beyond its design life. His personal account vividly captures the challenges and privation he endured both before and during his flight’ – “Library Journal”.

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Jerry Linenger

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