Laura Winterling

Laura Winterling

Former European Space Agency (ESA) Astronaut Instructor & Expert in High-Performance Leadership

Core Intelligence Domain: Leadership
Location: Cologne, Germany | Languages: English, German
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Laura Winterling is a former European Space Agency (ESA) Astronaut Instructor who translates the rigorous, high-stakes training of international space missions into actionable leadership and teamwork strategies for corporate executives. With over a decade of experience instructing elite astronauts from ESA, NASA, and Roscosmos for missions to the International Space Station (ISS), she possesses unparalleled insights into human performance under extreme pressure, strategic foresight, and the mechanics of flawless execution.

Holding a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Bayreuth, Laura began her illustrious career at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. She quickly became a pivotal figure in the training of international space crews, specialising in spacecraft systems including the European cargo ship ATV, the Columbus space laboratory, and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Her operational mandate required extensive global collaboration, leading her to train crews at highly restricted, prestigious facilities such as the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Throughout her tenure, Laura was responsible for teaching the intricate dynamics of survival, crisis management, and technical mastery. She fundamentally understands what it takes to build a cohesive unit capable of operating in the most unforgiving environments known to humankind. Today, as a successful entrepreneur and the founder of Space Time Concepts GmbH, she leverages her proprietary frameworks to bridge the gap between spaceflight operations and corporate business strategy. She actively advises C-suite leaders on building resilient, agile, and high-functioning organisations equipped to navigate modern economic complexities.

Core Speaking Themes & Proprietary Frameworks

• Leadership in Extreme Environments: Deciphering the traits that make a successful spacecraft commander and applying these paradigms to modern corporate leadership and executive decision-making.
• High-Performance Teamwork & Trust: Building intercultural, cross-functional teams that operate with absolute synergy, psychological safety, and unwavering trust.
• Efficient Communication & Error Culture: Implementing the rigorous debriefing and open-communication protocols used by astronauts to eliminate operational failures and foster continuous improvement.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: Cognitive strategies for maintaining clarity, focus, and strategic foresight during high-stakes corporate crises and rapid market shifts.
• The Mechanics of Flawless Execution: Translating the meticulous preparation, redundancy planning, and execution of an ISS mission into everyday business operations.

Career Highlights & Milestones

• Over a decade of service as an official Astronaut Instructor for the European Space Agency (ESA).
• Successfully trained more than 80 international astronauts from ESA, NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA for complex missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
• Certified instructor for the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, the European Columbus Laboratory, and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).
• Founder and CEO of Space Time Concepts GmbH, a pioneering agency dedicated to corporate team building, leadership development, and bespoke space-themed events.
• Highly sought-after keynote speaker who has delivered strategic insights to Fortune 500 companies, global summits, and executive boardrooms worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Unparalleled Spaceflight Expertise: Exclusive, behind-the-scenes insights drawn directly from over 10 years of training elite astronauts for the International Space Station.
• Actionable Corporate Frameworks: Direct translation of mission-critical survival and operational tactics into everyday business leadership and crisis management.
• Global Intercultural Perspective: Deep understanding of diverse team dynamics, having successfully navigated the complex operational ecosystems of ESA, NASA, and Roscosmos.
• Transformational Executive Leadership: Equips C-suite executives and management teams with the specific tools needed to foster a zero-error culture, resilient teamwork, and decisive action under pressure.