Dr. Fabian was guest speaker at a Chief Executive dinner at Whirlowbrook Hall organised by South Yorkshire’s leading law firm DLA Piper, Bank of Scotland Corporate and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

With more than 4,000 flying hours in a variety of air and spacecraft, Dr Fabian’s exceptional career spans both academia and flight. He is one of the world’s leading authorities on the space programme and has served on a multitude of high profile NASA, US governmental and research advisory committees. 

Stephen Sly, Sheffield office managing partner for DLA Piper, said: “It was an honour to bring Dr Fabian to Sheffield to speak at this dinner and discuss his astonishing career. He is an inspirational example of what can be achieved by following a vision with determination and the right aptitude.

“It was also fascinating to hear how his experiences had influenced his passion for global climate and related conservation initiatives, as well as the link between what early space exploration sought to achieve and what is happening now with the particle accelerator in CERN.

 “It seemed particularly fitting that he should be in Sheffield at a time when the city is recognised once again as a global leader in materials innovation and production."

Dr Fabian served as an Air Force pilot before becoming a space shuttle astronaut with NASA from 1978 to 1986, spending more than 320 hours in space. 

Guests at the Whirlowbrook Hall dinner heard how he flew on the Challenger in 1983, deploying and retrieving satellites using a innovative mechanical arm that he helped design, and on the Discovery mission in 1985 during which Dr Fabian conducted several key biomedical and laser experiments.

On leaving NASA he became took over responsibility for all US Air Force space program operations. Other key high profile positions include his appointment to the President’s Commission to investigate the Space Shuttle Challenger accident.

Dr Fabian also served for seven years as president and chief executive officer of ANSER, an independent, not-for-profit, public service research institution, providing research and analysis support on national and international issues.

Left to right: Stephen Sly, DLA Piper Sheffield office managing partner; Tim Pryor, Head of Corporate Banking, North East England for the Bank of Scotland; John Fabian and Phillip Gregory, Managing Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.