Explore Worlds
Find Life
Defend Earth
Planetary Radio • Oct 16, 2026
Book Club Edition: Dinner With an Astronaut by Leroy Chiao
On This Episode
Leroy Chiao
Retired NASA Astronaut, Chemical Engineer, Speaker, and Consultant
Mat Kaplan
Senior Communications Adviser and former Host of Planetary Radio for The Planetary Society
Leroy Chiao was one of the youngest astronauts ever selected. He would spend 229 days in low-Earth orbit, command the International Space Station, and perform three spacewalks. His book, “Dinner with an Astronaut,” chronicles his journey from Chinese American kid born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the literal heights of space achievement. Leroy also shares his thoughts about topics as diverse as engineering, Chinese food, and why space exploration is worth every penny in this entertaining conversation with The Planetary Society’s Mat Kaplan.
The Planetary Society Book Club: Dinner With an Astronaut by Leroy Chiao He'd loved space and engineering from his earliest days. At 29 he was chosen by NASA to become an astronaut. Leroy would spend 229 days living in space, with most of those spent as commander of the International Space Station. His book is the story of the making of that astronaut, his adventures in low-Earth orbit and on the ground, and musings on how we got here and where we're headed. All of these topics and more lift off in a fascinating, fun and informative conversation with the Society's Mat Kaplan.