Moonshot

What does it take to reach for the stars and succeed? Mike Massimino’s journey from an ordinary dreamer to a NASA astronaut is a testament to the resilience, teamwork, and adaptability needed not only to navigate space but life itself.

1. Persistence Defines Success

Mike Massimino’s childhood dream of becoming an astronaut wasn’t just a momentary fancy—it was a goal he chased with dogged determination. Despite being rejected by NASA three times and disqualified for his poor eyesight, Mike didn’t give up. Instead, he treated the obstacle like an engineering problem to solve.

After being disqualified for his vision, Mike could have resigned himself to failure, but he chose to train his eyesight instead. He worked with specialists and developed new habits, training his eyes to perform better under NASA’s tests. His fourth application to NASA finally resulted in acceptance, proving that obstacles don’t have to be endpoints.

Persistence meant not just overcoming rejections but also surpassing what others might perceive as impossible. When Mike compared his journey to that of a peer—who gave up after one rejection—he learned why success often favors those who persevere, even when the odds seem slim.

Examples

• Rejected three times from NASA and disqualified for medical reasons, but refused to give up.
• Trained for months to improve his eyesight and passed a test he once failed.
• Saw another candidate, equally qualified, give up after one rejection while he succeeded on his fourth try.

2. The Strength of a Team

Teamwork in space isn’t a corporate slogan—it’s a survival skill. Mike learned this during NASA’s intensive swim trials. Despite his fears as a weak swimmer, his team helped him persevere because they all shared a simple rule: No one succeeds until everyone succeeds.

NASA’s unique approach—pairing weaker swimmers with stronger teammates—forced candidates to focus on achieving shared goals. It showed Mike that collaboration involves bringing out the best in each other, even when success demands extraordinary effort from all sides.

This focus on mutual success mirrors broader achievements like constructing the International Space Station. NASA’s training embedded the lesson that collective achievement is greater than the sum of individual successes.

Examples

• NASA’s rule for the swim trial was that no one could leave until everyone passed.
• Stronger swimmers coached weaker swimmers, ensuring group progress.
• International Space Station construction relied on cooperation between multiple countries and disciplines.

3. Speak Up, Even When It’s Hard

Early in his training, Mike hesitated to voice concerns about a potentially dangerous misstep during a flight simulation. Doubting himself, he stayed quiet, nearly causing a mid-air collision due to miscommunication with his senior pilot.

This incident became a turning point for Mike. He realized that speaking up, even when unsure, could prevent disaster. Silence can carry far greater risks than voicing a wrong assumption or question. In high-pressure environments, everyone’s voice matters, no matter their rank or experience.

The lesson transcends aviation or spaceflight. Speaking up—whether in a boardroom, classroom, or community—fosters accountability and ensures that potential issues don’t snowball into larger problems.

Examples

• Near-miss incident during a flight simulation as Mike hesitated to correct his pilot.
• His silence almost caused a collision, teaching him the importance of communication.
• Applies to any scenario: safety discussions, project developments, or creative brainstorming.

4. Recover Quickly from Mistakes

In the harsh environment of space, mistakes happen. What matters is how you handle them. Mike followed what he calls the "30 Second Rule": take 30 seconds to recognize the problem, reflect on it, and move forward.

During a Hubble Space Telescope mission, Mike stripped a screw, which could have risked the mission. Instead of panicking, he used the 30 seconds to reset his approach and stayed focused on finding a solution. This allowed the team to adapt and continue their work seamlessly.

The principle of quick recovery isn’t limited to astronauts. Whether it’s a technical error or a personal shortfall, consciously deciding to move on and address solutions builds resilience and mental clarity.

Examples

• Applied the 30 Second Rule when he stripped a screw during repairs on the Hubble Telescope.
• The mistake didn’t derail the mission thanks to quick focus on problem-solving.
• The strategy can prevent distraction in business or personal setbacks.

5. Leadership Starts with Valuing Diversity

During the Apollo program, astronaut Alan Bean learned an important lesson about leadership: true progress requires diverse perspectives. Complaining about a colleague’s unconventional ideas nearly got him kicked off the project. His commander made him realize these differences drove the kind of creative thinking NASA needed.

Mike admired this lesson, recognizing that leadership isn’t about having a homogenous team but fostering appreciation for each member’s contributions. Successful leaders should focus on celebrating differences and making sure every person feels valued.

NASA’s approach to teamwork shows how diverse skills, whether technical or creative, can uncover solutions no one expects.

Examples

• Alan Bean clashed with a quirky engineer but learned to value his ideas.
• Apollo 11’s mission insignia didn’t include astronauts’ names, symbolizing collective credit.
• NASA leaders personally connect with team members to ensure trust across roles.

6. Embrace Change

Mike’s career reflected a lesson many avoid: knowing when it’s time to pivot. In his early years, going to space defined his life. But when he was invited for a six-month stint on the International Space Station, he realized his priorities had shifted. Missing time with his family felt more regretful than skipping the mission.

At 50, Mike had to redefine himself. He channeled his passion into inspiring others about space exploration—a new chapter that honored his past while embracing his present.

This shift mirrors how personal and professional goals evolve. Accepting change allows us to find fresh purpose, even in unfamiliar territories.

Examples

• Declined an ISS mission because his family time mattered more.
• Pivoted to public speaking and teaching to share his passion for space.
• Alan Bean pursued art after his astronaut career, merging creativity with his legacy.

7. Small Steps Create Big Impacts

Every small action, made by hundreds of thousands of contributors, built NASA’s achievements. From engineers creating micro components to astronauts conducting experiments in space, the successes belong to the collective efforts of many.

Mike sees the Apollo program as a metaphor for life: no triumph is born from a vacuum. Every “moonshot” endeavor requires attention to detail and teamwork on every level.

This message connects to goals in any field—whether running a company or launching a new initiative, tiny contributions snowball into transformative results.

Examples

• Over 400,000 people contributed to the Apollo missions.
• Each team member, from janitors to researchers, upheld critical roles.
• Mike’s own team displayed interdependence, from underwater trials to space missions.

8. Collaboration Breaks Boundaries

NASA’s collaboration philosophy goes beyond individual egos or even national interests. The International Space Station embodies the best scientific partnerships, brought together across continents to achieve more than any one agency alone ever could.

Mike believes that working together—whether across different industries or within teams—can spark world-changing progress. Collaboration thrives on respect, shared goals, and diverse input.

Examples in everyday life abound: interdisciplinary breakthroughs, cross-departmental projects, or even international public health agreements stem from cooperative effort.

Examples

• The International Space Station arose from global cooperation among nations.
• Cross-disciplinary astronauts fuse science, engineering, and exploration.
• Businesses with cross-team input often innovate faster.

9. Dreams Evolve Over Time

Mike’s career shift teaches us that our dreams aren’t static. Reaching one goal often creates room for another. What sparked joy in the past may not align with future values, and that’s okay.

Both Mike and fellow astronaut Alan Bean illustrate this well. Alan went from moonwalker to artist. Mike transitioned from astronaut to storyteller, writing, and teaching about space.

The focus is not on what you let go but the new passions you embrace.

Examples

• Alan Bean’s artwork immortalizes his space experiences.
• Mike leveraged his own love of film and storytelling to inspire others.
• Generational inspiration: Mike was the first astronaut to tweet from space.

Takeaways

1. Never give up on your goals. Persistence often makes the difference between failure and success.
2. Value diverse voices and teammates to build a stronger, more creative team.
3. Be open to evolving your dreams and passions as life changes around you.