Leadership people trust when it matters most

Developed on the Astronaut Leadership Experience

What is the Astronaut Leadership Experience?

Astronaut Leadership Experience

When NASA forms a new astronaut team, they begin by training together in remote and demanding environments. These expeditions build the trust, resilience and teamwork needed to perform when it matters most.

The Astronaut Leadership Experience draws directly on this approach and is led by a NASA astronaut. Participants step away from the everyday workplace and into extraordinary settings where leadership, teamwork and personal responsibility are tested in real time.

Previous programmes have taken place in some of the world’s most remarkable environments, including the Arctic, the Gobi Desert, India and the UK’s Lake District.

Through a unique blend of challenge, exploration and reflection, the experience develops the qualities that strong teams rely on: responsibility for oneself, support for teammates, confidence in leadership and respect for the environment in which the team operates.

“I found the programme brilliant both professionally and personally, consequently, I have made some very big and bold decisions, which have produced really positive outcomes. ”
— Gillian O’Neil CEO and Founder of 29 Studios

What the Astronauts Say

  • Six people, three men and three women, standing together outdoors in front of parked cars on a gravel surface, smiling and enjoying each other's company, with a hilly, grassy landscape in the background.

    "Amongst the very best team building programmes I have experienced."

    - Ken Bowersox - NASA Astronaut, Space Shuttle & ISS Commander

  • A man and a woman smiling, with the woman holding a certificate of achievement.

    "The Via Ferrata outdoor climbing course was the nearest thing to spacewalking that I've done here on Earth."

    - Colonel Ron Garan NASA Astronaut

  • "On the Astronaut Leadership Experience you will discover how leadership, trust and teamwork emerge when people face real challenges together."

    - NASA Astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander Ken Ham

A man in a blue NASA jacket and a woman in a black top and pink scarf holding a certificate for the Astronaut Leadership Experience, with a mountain painting in the background.

Take your leadership to the next level

During the programme, you will take on a range of leadership roles:

  • Designated Leadership: taking responsibility for the group and its goals

  • Active Membership: supporting the designated leader and participating in group decision

  • Collegiate Leadership: the team works together, supports each other and is proactive in achieving group goals

  • Personal Leadership: explorers take care of themselves and show initiative

Engage in thrilling outdoor adventures

Two people rock climbing outdoors on a rocky slope, with a forested mountain range in the background; one climber is securing the ropes while the other is climbing.
Three men in a forested area set up safety harnesses and ropes, with one wearing a blue helmet, for a zip-lining activity.
Two people standing on a boat in a cold, icy environment, smiling at the camera; one wearing a black jacket and sunglasses, the other in a light blue jacket and white hat.

Ready to Put Your Team to the Test?

Frequently asked questions

  • The programme is ideal for corporate teams, emerging leaders, executive groups, and organisations looking to push boundaries and build leadership through real challenge. It’s also suitable for leadership development providers seeking a unique, high-impact module to embed into their wider programmes.

  • While a moderate level of physical fitness helps, no prior experience in outdoor activities is required. The programme is designed to be challenging but accessible, with professional instructors guiding every step and activities scaled to suit your group’s ability.

  • Participants will develop resilience, self-leadership, team coordination, decision-making under pressure, and communication in dynamic environments. ALE mirrors the teamwork and personal accountability required of NASA crews operating in unknown and unforgiving conditions.

  • Typical Astronaut Leadership Experience courses run over 3 to 4 days in the Lake District, UK, combining outdoor challenge with structured leadership development.

    However, we’ve also delivered ALE programmes in extreme environments around the world, including the Gobi Desert, the Arctic, and other remote locations, tailored to meet the needs and ambitions of high-performance teams seeking something truly extraordinary.

  • Yes. Each ALE includes live interaction with a former NASA astronaut who shares leadership lessons from space, facilitates key sessions, and participates in debriefs and evening discussions.

  • Absolutely. We offer tailored ALE courses to align with your leadership themes, development goals, and participant profiles. From activity selection to focus areas and reflection sessions, we work with you to ensure maximum relevance and impact.