Dr Chris Welch is Principal at space-ist, the interdisciplinary aero/space consultancy he established in 2022 after a career as a Professor in Astronautics and Space Engineering.

A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Aeronautical Society, and the British Interplanetary Society, Chris considers himself a ‘spaceist’. During his career, he has developed his expertise across many areas of the space field - for example, making parabolic flights, sending experiments to the International Space Station, authoring what he believes to be the first-ever paper on the design of extraterrestrial gardens, and writing a poem which orbited the Earth more than 10000 times, etc.

Chris is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge in an open and accessible manner and has a collection of space-related artefacts which he uses to illustrate his presentations. He has extensive media experience and has been recognised for his space education and outreach activities, receiving the Sir Arthur Clarke Award for Space Education.

1. Why Space?
Discover the benefits of space exploration and how it improves our lives.

2. The Only Way Is Up
Uncover the science and engineering behind rockets, the vehicles that propel our space missions.

3. Black Sky Thinking
Learn about the innovative ways entrepreneurs use space to create new businesses and products.

4. Beyond Earth Orbit
Delve into the challenges and possibilities of human space exploration beyond Earth orbit.

5. Beauty in The Void
Discover the unique ways that artists are using space to inspire their work.

6. Everyone can be an Astronaut
Discover the history and rise of space private spaceflight and space tourism

7. What goes around, comes around
Unravel the mysteries and applications of space orbits

8. The Stars My Destination
Imagine the possibilities of travelling to other stars and explore the challenges that lie ahead.

9. Wayfinding – the science and history of navigation
Navigate through time, from human journeys guided by stars to the use of satellites to find our way.

10. The Taste of Ambrosia – Food in Exploration
Trace the evolution of explorers' meals from meat jerky to freeze-dried rations to astronaut meals.

11. Gazing at the Stars – The History and Development of Astronomy
Tracing Humanity's skyward gaze from the ancients to space satellites.

12. Looking Outwards
Explore the Universe and find out how space telescopes reveal cosmic mysteries and future quests.

13. Treasures of the northern skies
Explore the Northern Skies, unveiling constellations, auroras, and meteor showers.

14. The Life and Death of Stars
Discover the secrets of stars, the building blocks of our galaxy and universe.

15. The Sun
Explore the Sun, the energy source for life on Earth, and learn about the impact of space weather.

16. Dark Side of the Moon
Discover the Moon, our closest celestial neighbour, and learn about its impact on our world and culture.

17. Volcanoes in Space
Explore the different types of volcanoes - past and present - on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

- Viking Resident Astronomer - 2019 Viking Jupiter (two weeks); 2022 Viking Orion (six weeks); 2023 Viking Orion (three weeks); 2024 Viking Jupiter 2024 (five weeks)
- Viking Guest Lecturer - 2023 Viking Sky (two weeks)

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.