John “Danny” Olivas

Former NASA Astronaut & Mission Assurance Expert; Co-Director of the Visual Intelligence & Multimedia Analytics Laboratory at the University of Southern California

California, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info
Astronaut, Author, Diversity & Inclusion, Engineering, Hispanic Heritage, Science, Space, Technology
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John “Danny” Olivas Biography

Dr. John Danny Olivas is a former NASA astronaut, engineer, and materials scientist with a career encompassing spaceflight, accident investigation, and spacesuit development. Olivas was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 17 after advancing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he served as program manager of the JPL Advanced Interconnect and Manufacturing Assurance Program. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and materials science from Rice University, a Master of Science from the University of Houston, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at El Paso. Olivas holds six U.S. patents and has authored papers in scientific journals and technical conferences.

Olivas flew on two Space Shuttle missions—STS-117 aboard Atlantis and STS-128 aboard Discovery—accumulating more than 668 hours in space and completing five spacewalks totaling over 34 hours of extravehicular activity. During STS-117, he performed the first on-orbit extravehicular activity repair to a Space Shuttle, using a surgical stapler from the crew medical kit to fix a torn thermal protection blanket on Atlantis. He became the first person of Mexican-American heritage to walk in space. On STS-128, Olivas served as a mission specialist, performing three additional spacewalks to help deliver and install the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module on the International Space Station.

Beyond his flights, Olivas contributed to the investigation of the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy. He served on the Spacecraft Crew Survival Integrated Investigation Team, conducting materials investigations on the remnants of the Columbia Crew Module. That work informed the repair techniques later used during STS-117. Olivas also served as an aquanaut on the NEEMO 3 and NEEMO 8 underwater missions and held technical roles in NASA's Robotics Branch, EVA Branch, and Capsule Communicator Branch before retiring from the agency.

After leaving NASA, Olivas became director of systems engineering at Collins Aerospace, supporting the company's space suit and advanced life support systems. In this role, he serves as Collins' chief test astronaut, applying his spacewalk experience to suit design for International Space Station crews and lunar exploration. Olivas is also co-director of the Visual Intelligence and Multimedia Analytics Laboratory at the University of Southern California, researching artificial intelligence applications in space exploration. He previously directed the Center for the Advancement of Space Safety and Mission Assurance Research at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Olivas is a keynote speaker and recipient of two NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, as well as the UTEP Distinguished Alumni Award and the Rice Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award. He has appeared on Nickelodeon's revival of "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" and delivered a TEDx talk at UTEP, discussing diversity of thought and the value of unconventional ideas. His firsthand accounts of spacewalking, orbital repair, and the Columbia investigation provide insight on engineering, innovation, leadership, and perseverance.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/14/2026.

John “Danny” Olivas Speaking Topics

  • Mission Success: Mission Assurance and Lessons Learned In Space™

    Many industries share commonality with the hazards associated with human spaceflight — particularly those where potential for product or system failures may lead to serious safety issues for customers/employees or result in significant financial loss. Olivas uses Lessons Learned in Space™ to encourage companies to challenge their own internal procedures to aim for failsafe processes. Through real-world examples developed in the crucible of the space exploration, Olivas inspires corporate audiences to Think Like an Astronaut™ to improve workplace and product safety.

  • Ticket to Ride: The Near Future of Commercial Manned Space Travel

    Across the globe, private enterprise is stepping into the domain once occupied by government endeavors. How soon will an average traveler by able to purchase a ticket to space? Perhaps sooner than you think. Olivas discusses the current state of human spaceflight and explores what it takes to journey to the Moon, to Mars and outer destinations in the Solar System.

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John “Danny” Olivas Videos

Lessons Learned In Space | Danny Olivas | TEDxUTEP

Lessons Learned In Space | Danny Olivas | TEDxUTEP

John Daniel "Danny" Olivas is an American engineer and a former NASA astronaut. Olivas has flown on two space shuttle missions, STS-117 ...

Challenges of Spacewalking -- Danny Olivas

Challenges of Spacewalking -- Danny Olivas

How does astronaut Danny Olivas repair a protective blanket on the space shuttle?

Challenges of Spacewalking -- Danny Olivas

Challenges of Spacewalking -- Danny Olivas

How does astronaut Danny Olivas repair a protective blanket on the space shuttle?

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  • What topics does John “Danny” Olivas speak about?

    John “Danny” Olivas is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Astronaut, Author, Diversity & Inclusion, Engineering, Hispanic Heritage, Science, Space, Technology

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    John “Danny” Olivas generally travels from California, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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John “Danny” Olivas is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Mission Success: Mission Assurance and Lessons Learned In Space™, Ticket to Ride: The Near Future of Commercial Manned Space Travel, Space Capsules: True but little-known versions of mission-saving orbital inventions and How Does Space Smell?: The wonders of shuttle travel from lift-off to touch-down. The estimated speaking fee range to book John “Danny” Olivas for your event is available upon request. John “Danny” Olivas generally travels from CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are José M. Hernández, Emily Calandrelli, Garrett Reisman, Leland Melvin and Serena Auñón-Chancellor. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John “Danny” Olivas for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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