Aerospace Engineer & Former NASA Astronaut; Space Shuttle Commander; President of Space Systems Group at Northrop Grumman
Frank Culbertson Biography
Captain Frank Lee Culbertson Jr. is a former American naval officer, aviator, test pilot, aerospace engineer, and NASA astronaut whose career encompasses significant milestones in U.S. space exploration. After completing NASA astronaut training, Culbertson flew three space missions: STS-38 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-51 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery, and served as commander of ISS Expedition 3. Early in his NASA tenure, he contributed to the Challenger accident investigation, collaborating with NASA, the Presidential Commission, and the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.
As commander of Discovery on STS-51, Culbertson's crew deployed two satellites, retrieved one, and conducted an extravehicular activity to evaluate Hubble Space Telescope repair tools, concluding with the first night landing at Kennedy Space Center.
Prior to his final spaceflight, Culbertson managed the Shuttle-Mir Program, negotiating with the Russian Space Agency and overseeing nine Shuttle docking missions to the Russian Space Station Mir. He supervised operations for seven U.S. astronauts who spent more than 30 cumulative months aboard Mir, helping to establish standards and communication protocols that strengthened U.S.-Russian collaboration and contributed to the development and joint operations of the International Space Station. Culbertson received a Rotary Stellar Award for his leadership during this period.
During ISS Expedition 3, Culbertson, as commander, lived and worked aboard the International Space Station for 129 days, commanding the station for 117 days. He was the only U.S. citizen not on Earth during the September 11 attacks, documenting the aftermath from orbit and reflecting on the experience in an open letter. His mission underscored the intersection of human spaceflight and world events.
After retiring from NASA, Culbertson held senior leadership roles in the aerospace industry, including serving as senior vice president at SAIC and Orbital Sciences, and later as president of the Space Systems Group through mergers with ATK and Northrop Grumman. In these roles, he oversaw human spaceflight, science, commercial communications, and national security satellite programs, as well as technical services for government clients. Culbertson has also served as a board member and advisor to various not-for-profit and commercial organizations.
Culbertson's achievements have been recognized with numerous military and NASA honors, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Superior Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Space Flight Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and named a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The Explorers Club of New York City awarded him the Buzz Aldrin Space Award for his contributions to space and aviation. Culbertson continues to share his insights on aerospace engineering, space policy, and international cooperation with audiences in education, government, and industry.
Frank Culbertson Videos
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Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Frank Culbertson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Frank Culbertson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Frank Culbertson or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Frank Culbertson
Speaking fees for Frank Culbertson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Frank Culbertson are $50,000 - $100,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Frank Culbertson, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Frank Culbertson speak about?
Frank Culbertson is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Adventure, Adventure, Astronaut, Business Leadership, Engineering, Navy, Science, Space, Technology, Veterans -
Where does Frank Culbertson travel from?
Frank Culbertson generally travels from Leesburg, VA, 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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Frank Culbertson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Frank Culbertson for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Frank Culbertson generally travels from Leesburg, VA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Sandra Magnus, Cady Coleman, Sunita Williams, Mary Ellen Weber and Kenneth Harris II. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Frank Culbertson for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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