For episode 7 of The Astro Ben Podcast: Diversity in the Space Industry, we welcome Professor Chris Welch. Chris is Professor of Astronautics and Space Engineering at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France, where he is Head of the Space Payloads Laboratory and Director of Masters Programs. Although technically a physicist-turned-engineer, Chris sees himself more as a ‘spaceist’, interested in all aspects of space.  Take a listen to hear about Chris’s career from being one of the final twenty candidates for the 1991 UK-USSR Juno mission to the Mir space station, to getting a poem on the International Space Station! 0:18 Intro 1:05 Last week on The Astro Ben Podcast 1:50 Broader podcast aims 3.18 Background to Chris Welch 4.23 Welcoming Chris 5.21 Chris blames Neil Armstrong for passion for space 10.38 Chris’s poem on the International Space Station 14.05 How Diversity has been a focal point on space societies and federations over the years. 21.38 How much of a factor is diversity in making space exploration successful? 27.00 Take for granted the ability to study STEM. 28.08 The quota question – international space university. 29.53 Magic wand for space industry – what would you do? 32.34 Would Chris go to space? 33.40 Thanks Chris! 34.00 Outro/wrap up – Chris’s socials! Social Media Twitter + Instagram: @ProfChrisWelch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrChrisWelch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-chris-welch-6855121/ Mentions Space Diversity Education Neil Armstrong Telescope Cosmology ISU Space University ISS Satellites Astronomy PHD London Strasberg Student Candidate Juno Mission Space propulsion system orbit mechanics space exploration Payloads British Interplanetary Society BIS Stars Planets IAF Space Hero STEM education professor exploration international space station Stay connected with us! Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!