Claude Nicollier is the first astronaut from Switzerland, and has flown on four Space Shuttle missions as an ESA astronaut (European Space Agency). He graduated from the University of Lausanne in 1970 with a BSC in physics and a MSC in astrophysics from the University of Geneva in 1975. He... Read more
The Life of an Astronaut | Claude Nicollier | TEDxYouth@Zurich
Claude Nicollier, Former-Astronaut, NASA: Vision From Space!
Claude Nicollier: La Terre vue de l'espace - Nice Future 6
Claude Nicollier is the first astronaut from Switzerland, and has flown on four Space Shuttle missions as an ESA astronaut (European Space Agency).
He graduated from the University of Lausanne in 1970 with a BSC in physics and a MSC in astrophysics from the University of Geneva in 1975. He also graduated as a Swiss Air Force pilot in 1966, an airline pilot in 1974, and a test pilot in 1988 at the Empire Test Pilot’s School, Boscombe Down, United Kingdom.
He was a member of the first group of ESA astronauts selected in 1978. He then joined Group 9 of NASA astronauts in 1980 for Space Shuttle training at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, where he was stationed until September 2005. His technical assignments in Houston included Space Shuttle flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory, development of Tethered Satellite System retrieval techniques, the Remote Manipulator System and International Space Station robotics support. From 1996 to 1998, he was head of the astronaut office robotics branch. From 2000 on, he was a member of the Astronaut Office EVA (Extravehicular Activity) Branch, while maintaining a position as Lead European Space Agency astronaut in Houston.
During his assignment in Houston, he also maintained an active duty status within the Swiss Air Force with a rank as Captain, flying Hawker Hunter and Northrop F-5E “Tiger” fighter jets until end of 2004. He has logged more than 6,500 flight hours, 4,000 of which were in jet aircrafts.
Claude Nicollier has been a crew member on four Space Shuttle flights. STS-46 (1992) which involved EURECA deployment and the first test of a Tethered Satellite System; STS-61 (1993), which was the first servicing mission of the Hubble Space Telescope; STS-75 (1996) which was the second flight of TSS and involved USMP-3 microgravity investigations; and STS-103 (1999) which was the third servicing mission of the Hubble Space Telescope. He has logged more than 1,000 hours in space, including a spacewalk of more than 8 hours duration to install new equipment on the Hubble Space Telescope during STS-103. This was the first spacewalk out of the Space Shuttle for an ESA astronaut.
He retired from the European Space Agency in 2007, and is currently professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne where he teaches a course on “Space Mission Design and Operations”, and provides assistance to students on various space related projects. He was also involved in the “Solar Impulse” solar powered aircraft program as Head of Flight Test and Head of the Safety Review Board. This project was launched by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg and has the objective to fly around the world in several steps on solar power only, with one pilot on board. The round-the-world flight was performed in 2015 and 2016.
Claude Nicollier is a recipient of Honorary Doctorates from École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, and the Universities of Geneva and Basel.
Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.
You can book Claude Nicollier through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Claude's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Claude Nicollier's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Claude tailored to your event.
Claude Nicollier speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Claude to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Claude Nicollier for events worldwide, subject to Claude's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Claude Nicollier is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Claude can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Claude Nicollier on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Claude can offer.
Claude Nicollier delivers keynotes in English, French, German. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Claude Nicollier's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Claude's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Claude Nicollier can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Claude's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Claude Nicollier is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Claude Nicollier, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Claude's current availability for your dates.