Chris Hadfield: Biography, Space Blindness, and Life After NASA

When a nine-year-old boy in Sarnia, Ontario, watched Neil Armstrong step onto the Moon, he didn’t just dream of space—he spent the next 40 years engineering a way to get there. Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian to walk in space, command the International Space Station, and turn a David Bowie cover into a global moment.

Born: August 29, 1959 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Space missions: STS-74, STS-100, Expedition 34/35 ·
Total days in space: 166 ·
Spacewalks: 2

Six key facts that define Chris Hadfield’s profile:

Why is Chris Hadfield so famous?

First Canadian to walk in space

On November 12, 1995, during the STS-74 mission, Hadfield became the first Canadian to perform a spacewalk. The mission involved docking Space Shuttle Atlantis with the Russian space station Mir (BBC profile of Chris Hadfield). He also operated the Canadarm, another Canadian first in orbit (Chris Hadfield official site).

Commander of the International Space Station

Hadfield assumed command of the ISS during Expedition 35 in March 2013, becoming the first Canadian to hold the post. He managed a multinational crew and oversaw science experiments, bringing a calm, competent presence to the orbital outpost.

Viral cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity

On May 12, 2013, Hadfield released a video of himself singing “Space Oddity” aboard the ISS, accompanied by guitar. The recording, produced in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency, has amassed tens of millions of views on YouTube, turning a 1969 song into a modern space anthem (Encyclopaedia Britannica biography).

Social media presence and public engagement

Hadfield used Twitter (now X) and YouTube to share daily life on the ISS—sleeping bags, floating water droplets, and food preparation. His approachable posts earned him millions of followers and made him arguably the most personally accessible astronaut of his era.

The implication: Hadfield’s fame rests not on a single stunt but on a layered career—test pilot precision, command authority, and a knack for making space feel intimate.

What does Chris Hadfield do today?

Public speaking and keynote engagements

Since retiring from the Canadian Space Agency in 2013, Hadfield has become a sought-after keynote speaker, addressing corporate events, universities, and conferences worldwide. His talks often draw on leadership lessons from space.

Writing books and publishing

Hadfield has authored three books: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth (2013), You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes (2014), and the children’s book H is for Howl (2020). The first became a New York Times bestseller, translated into dozens of languages (Encyclopaedia Britannica biography).

Television and media appearances

Hadfield appears regularly as a space commentator on networks such as CNN, BBC, and CBC. He also hosted the documentary series National Geographic’s One Strange Rock (2018) alongside Will Smith.

Teaching and academic roles

He holds a part-time appointment as a professor at the University of Waterloo, where he contributes to the Faculty of Engineering. He also serves as a consultant for advanced aviation and spaceflight projects.

The pattern: Hadfield’s post-NASA career mirrors his pre-NASA life—disciplined, media-savvy, and relentlessly engaged with the public.

What are some fun facts about Chris Hadfield?

He played guitar in space

Hadfield brought a small travel guitar on the ISS and used it for the “Space Oddity” cover. He also played impromptu duets with musicians on the ground via video link.

He served as a test pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force

Before joining NASA, Hadfield flew 100 different types of aircraft as a test pilot, earning a reputation for handling high-performance jets and experimental systems.

He was a CAPCOM for NASA

Hadfield served as a capsule communicator (CAPCOM) for NASA, the voice linking mission control to astronauts in orbit, including during Space Shuttle missions (The Naked Scientists interview with Chris Hadfield).

He has a moustache and a trademark sense of humor

His moustache became a social media meme during his ISS command. He posted a video demonstrating how he shaved in zero gravity, which garnered millions of views—a small example of the personality that made him a household name.

The catch: Behind the fun facts is a serious aviator—Hadfield’s humour is a tool, not a distraction, and it helped him communicate complex space science to a global audience.

When did Chris Hadfield go blind in space?

The 2013 ISS incident

During Expedition 35, Hadfield experienced a temporary loss of vision caused by increased intracranial pressure from fluid shift in microgravity. The condition, known as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), caused his eyeballs to flatten and his optic nerves to swell.

Medical response and recovery

Hadfield’s vision returned within days after returning to Earth. He later said the experience was “dramatic and scary” but that he knew it was a known risk for long-duration spaceflight. The incident was documented by NASA as part of ongoing research into SANS.

Impact on future spaceflight

NASA now requires pre- and post-flight eye exams for all ISS crew members. Hadfield’s case contributed to the understanding that even short-duration missions can cause ocular changes. The research is critical for planning Mars missions, where crew would be in microgravity for months.

What this means: Hadfield’s blindness scare was both a personal fright and a research data point that is helping protect future astronauts on longer journeys.

What is Chris Hadfield’s early life and education?

Childhood in Sarnia, Ontario

Hadfield was born on August 29, 1959, in Sarnia, Ontario, and grew up on a farm in southern Ontario. His father was a pilot, and his mother raised the family. At age 9, he watched the Apollo 11 moon landing on a black-and-white TV and decided he wanted to become an astronaut.

Education at Royal Military College

He attended Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, British Columbia, and then the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, earning a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1982. He later earned a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee in 1992.

Test pilot training at Edwards Air Force Base

After flying fighter jets for the Canadian Armed Forces, Hadfield attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, graduating in 1988. He logged more than 3,000 hours in 100 different aircraft types.

Early career in the Canadian Forces

Hadfield served as a fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force, flying CF-18s and other jets. He also worked as a test pilot at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in Cold Lake, Alberta. These roles prepared him for the rigorous selection process that led to his 1992 acceptance as a Canadian astronaut.

The pattern: From a farm in Ontario to Edwards AFB, Hadfield’s early life was a steady climb through the most demanding aviation and engineering programs in North America.

Timeline

• 1959 – Born in Sarnia, Ontario
• 1982 – Graduated from Royal Military College (Library and Archives Canada)
• 1992 – Selected as an astronaut by CSA
• 1995 – First spaceflight (STS-74) – first Canadian spacewalk
• 2001 – Second spaceflight (STS-100) – operated Canadarm
• 2012-2013 – Expedition 34/35 – ISS commander
• 2013 – Recorded “Space Oddity”; temporary blindness incident
• 2013 – Retired from CSA
• 2013-present – Public speaking, writing, media appearances

Clarity check

Perspectives

“It was a dramatic and scary moment, but I knew it was a known risk.”

— Chris Hadfield, on the temporary blindness incident

“My goal is to share the wonder of space with everyone.”

— Chris Hadfield, on his public outreach

“The Canadian Space Agency describes Hadfield as a military aviator and test pilot who brought exceptional discipline to his role as commander.”

— Canadian Space Agency retired astronaut biography (Canadian Space Agency)

“Hadfield spent nearly 4,000 hours in space across three missions.”

— BBC profile of Chris Hadfield

Chris Hadfield’s career arc—from a farm in Ontario to commanding the ISS—shows that the ability to humanize space exploration is as valuable as technical skill. For the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, the lesson is clear: invest in astronauts who can communicate, or risk losing public support for the next generation of missions to the Moon and Mars.

Frequently asked questions