If nations can join together to build The International Space Station, the most complex structure ever built in space, imagine what we can accomplish by working together to overcome the challenges facing us all here on Earth.
Looking back at our planet from space fills us with the realization that each and every one of us is riding through the Universe together on this spaceship we call Earth and that we are all in this together.
We live in a world where the possibilities are only limited by our imagination and our will to act. We do not have to accept the status quo on our planet. It is possible to eliminate the suffering and conflict in our world: Nothing is Impossible #TheKeyIsWe
“The Orbital Perspective could wind up being the most important tale ever told from space.”
Having enjoyed an illustrious career that has cemented Colonel Ron Garan’s place as one of the world’s most influential individuals, the iconic father of three is a decorated NASA Astronaut, Fighter Pilot, and Test Pilot, humanitarian and social entrepreneur.
Part of a select group of individuals who have been fortunate enough to see the world from space, Ron founded the initiative Fragile Oasis, championing his ‘Orbital perspective’ message to improve life on earth. Ron is celebrated not just for his research in space, but for his humanitarian contribution to life on earth.
Having traveled more than 71 million miles in 2,842 orbits of our planet, Ron has spent 178 days in space and has accomplished four spacewalks. He flew on both the US Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and spent 18 days at the bottom of the ocean during a research mission held in the world’s only undersea research lab, Aquarius.
Ron was assigned to the US Agency for International Development, leading the Unity Node project. Their task was to develop a universal, open source platform, enabling humanitarian organisations to work towards mutual goals. In 2007 Ron founded Manna Energy Ltd. Created with the goal of leveraging the Carbon Market to finance humanitarian projects, Manna Energy Ltd is the first organization in the world to register a United Nations Clean Development Mechanism carbon credit program for water treatment.
From representing Manna Energy Ltd as one of ten global innovators in the field of water purification during the inaugural Launch Water Forum to his role as advisor to the Social Business movement, Ron continues to work towards a cleaner, safer and more peaceful planet. Ron’s breakthrough book The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles, is published by Berrett-Koehler