SpaceBase Podcast

Hosted by Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

SpaceBase is a social enterprise who's mission is to democratize access to space through education, entrepreneurship and community building starting in New Zealand. This podcast is dedicated to creating the journey from space enthusiast to space entrepreneurs through insightful interviews with aerospace specialists, investors, and entrepreneurs sharing their experience and knowledge of the space industry, and their personal journeys.To support the podcast, please consider becoming a patron.Since its incorporation in 2017, SpaceBase has collaborated with economic development agencies, local and national governments, and advocacy groups, startups, investors, educators to deliver over 300 educational presentations, briefings, and workshops, national space and aerospace competitions, as well as helping birth space communities and organizations locally and globally. SpaceBase also assists in technical due diligence, consulting projects for investors, industry stakeholders, and space startups. SpaceBase created a platform for the NZ Aerospace Directory and has co-founded the Global Space Enablers Network (GSEN), a decentralised alliance of organizations focused on enabling the space enabler worldwide.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 17, 2026Episode 8835 min

Resilience, Rockets, and Reinvention: An Interview with Zhanna Nazaryan

An interview with Zhanna Nazaryan , Principal Manufacturing Engineer at Rocket Lab. Zhanna has built an impressive career across some of the world’s leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing organizations, including Rocket Lab, Blue Origin, Boeing, GKN Aerospace, Alcoa, and Apollo Manufacturing. Her expertise spans spacecraft composites, manufacturing engineering, quality systems, metrology, production scaling, advanced materials, and aerospace operations. At Rocket Lab, Zhanna leads advanced composite manufacturing and thermal protection systems for spacecraft production, helping develop the processes, tooling, materials, and manufacturing strategies needed to build flight-ready hardware at scale. Prior to Rocket Lab, she worked on major aerospace programs at Blue Origin and Boeing, supporting everything from testing and production readiness to quality assurance and manufacturing optimization. Throughout her career, Zhanna has specialized in transforming complex engineering challenges into practical manufacturing solutions while driving quality, efficiency, and innovation in highly demanding environments. Her journey offers a unique perspective on what it takes to move from engineering concepts to reliable spacecraft production—and why manufacturing excellence is such a critical part of the space industry. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources: Society of Women Engineers Women in Space Aotearoa New Zealand NASA Lessons Learned System Support the show

July 28, 2026Episode 8941 min

Advocate for the Stars - Building Africa's Space Ecosystem: An Interview with Yvette Barrington-Brown

We continue our alternating series featuring members of the Global Space Enablers Network — GSEN — highlighting individuals helping shape the future of the global space ecosystem through entrepreneurship, investment, policy, and international collaboration. An interview with Advocate Yvette Barrington-Brown , CEO of NewCraft Aerospace and Cape Constellation , and one of the emerging leaders helping shape Africa's commercial space ecosystem. Yvette's career is anything but conventional. After more than 25 years as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, where she specialized in complex litigation, governance, regulatory strategy, and institutional leadership, she made the bold decision to transition into the space sector. Today, she leads NewCraft Aerospace and Cape Constellation—a collaborative innovation hub dedicated to building Africa's next generation of space companies through venture creation, mentorship, investment, and ecosystem development. Together with Africa Space Ventures, these initiatives aim to strengthen Africa's sovereign space capabilities while creating globally competitive businesses rooted on the continent. Her journey is one of reinvention, resilience, entrepreneurship, and purpose—demonstrating that building a thriving space ecosystem requires not only engineers and scientists, but also visionary leaders who understand governance, institutions, investment, and long-term strategy. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Support the show

June 21, 2026Episode 8745 min

Law in the Final Frontier: Navigating Space Regulation with Scott Schneider

Continuing on the alternating series featuring members of the Global Space Enablers Network — GSEN — highlighting individuals helping shape the future of the global space ecosystem through policy, education, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration. This interview is with Scott Schneider — Special Counsel at the International Aerospace Law & Policy Group , Managing Director at Raker , former Director of the Space Law Council of Australia and New Zealand, and a globally engaged advocate for space law, regulation, and governance. Scott’s career sits at the fascinating intersection of law, policy, aerospace commercialization, and international cooperation. After completing his Master of Laws in Air and Space Law at Leiden University, he went on to lead the regulatory team at Southern Launch, helping secure Australia’s first commercial space launch licenses. He has worked extensively across spacecraft licensing, insurance frameworks, export controls, international law, and aerospace regulation, while also contributing to organizations including the International Institute of Space Law, the Space Generation Advisory Council, the Space Industry Association of Australia, and the International Space University. Beyond policy and regulation, Scott is deeply involved in education and global dialogue - teaching law and economics across universities and engaging with emerging space ecosystems around the world. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources: Space Generation Advisory Council International Space University Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPUOS) United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Secure World Foundation Contacts for Scott Schneider: email: scott.schneider@rakerwork.com telegram: t.me/openouterspace Support the show

May 24, 2026Episode 8645 min

Cataysing and Growing New Zealand's Deep Tech Community: An Interview with Mat Rowe

An interview with Mat Rowe — Founding Parter and Executive Director of Outset Ventures, New Zealand’s leading deep-tech incubator and investment platform. Mat has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of science, engineering, and commercialization, helping turn breakthrough technologies into globally significant companies. Before founding Outset Ventures, he was part of the founding team at LanzaTech, contributing to the scale-up of one of the world’s most recognized industrial biotech companies across the US, Europe, and Asia. He has also co-founded and supported multiple deep-tech ventures including Dotterel Technologies, focused on UAV audio systems and drone noise reduction, and Mint Innovation, which recovers precious metals from e-waste using biometallurgy. Through Outset Ventures, Mat has helped build an ecosystem supporting some of New Zealand’s most ambitious science and engineering founders — including companies connected to aerospace, climate tech, advanced materials, biotech, and robotics. Mat is known for his hands-on approach with technical founders and his passion for helping breakthrough ideas move from prototype to global impact. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources: Outset Ventures - NZ incubator and investment platform What Founder's Want - resources platform for startup Founders Y Combinator - US based startup accelerator and venture capital firm Support the show

April 23, 2026Episode 8541 min

Working towards an 18th Sustainable Development Goal - "Space for All": An Interview with Chiara Moenter

An interview with Chiara Moenter, co-founder of the global initiative SDG 18: Space for All, and a leading voice in space sustainability and governance. Chiara’s journey bridges policy, research, and communication. From her work at the European Space Agency and the German Aerospace Industry Association to her academic research on sustainable space governance, she has consistently focused on one central question: how can we ensure space remains a shared and sustainable resource for humanity? Beyond policy, Chiara is also an active communicator and community builder — from moderating major international space events to delivering a TEDx talk on the Overview Effect, and contributing to global initiatives that connect space with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Chiara is a policy adviser for the New Zealand Space Agency. She is speaking here in her personal capacity. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources: UNOOSA: Space Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals Space Sustainability: Stakeholder Engagement Study Frank White and the Overview Effect - Books European Space Flight publications Space News Space Watch Global European Space Policy Institute Space Generation Advisory Council International Space University Space Experts: Steven Freeland Tanja Masson zwaan Torsten Kriening Tomas Hrozensky Support the show

March 29, 2026Episode 8445 min

Breaking Into Space - Careers in Communications, Marketing, and PR: An Interview with Suk Narayanan

Continuing our alternating series featuring members of the Global Space Enablers Network – GSEN, highlighting individuals working to accelerate space ecosystems across emerging and established regions worldwide. An interview with Suk Narayanan — Head of Global Partnerships for Mission ShakthiSAT, Founder and President of the AIMERS Foundation, and a global leader at the intersection of space, technology, communication, and entrepreneurship. Suk’s journey is anything but linear. Starting in electrical and electronics engineering, she went on to co-found one of India’s largest robotics and AI outreach initiatives, impacting over 500,000 students. She later transitioned into global communications, working across 58 countries, before rebuilding her career from scratch in Australia — gaining experience across sales, leadership, and media. Today, she plays a pivotal role in global space initiatives, including Space Kidz India and Mission ShakthiSAT — an ambitious all-women-led space mission engaging 12,000 girls across 108 countries — while also investing in startups and driving inclusive innovation ecosystems. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Mission ShaktiSAT AIMERS Foundation Support the show

February 23, 2026Episode 8352 min

Building an Aerospace Career Through Systems Thinking and Product Design: An Interview with Roger Warren

An interview with Roger Warren — an experienced aerospace design engineer, prototype specialist, and passionate community builder in the aviation and space sector. Roger brings decades of hands-on engineering experience across aerospace, medical devices, advanced product design, and human-powered flight. From working on the Airbus Zephyr stratospheric UAV program in the UK to leading research prototyping at the Surgical Engineering Lab at the University of Auckland, Roger’s career reflects a deep commitment to solving complex engineering challenges through experimentation, systems thinking, and practical innovation . He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Royal Aeronautical Society – New Zealand Division, Auckland Branch, where he is helping re-energize the aerospace community and break down silos across the sector . With a background spanning fluid mechanics, human factors, lightweight structures, extreme environments, and space systems engineering , Roger combines technical depth with a strong belief in collaboration and affordability in aviation. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Airbus Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) Auckland Bioengineering Institute University of Auckland Aeronautics Club New Zealand Royal Aeronautical Society Auckland Branch Support the show

January 22, 2026Episode 8247 min

Catalysing a Space Cluster in South New Zealand: An Interview with David Powell

An interview with David Powell — Business Development Manager at the University of Otago and Convener of the Aero+Space South initiative. With over 25 years of international experience in business development, trade, and innovation strategy, David has been at the forefront of building bridges between academia, industry, and government to support high-growth sectors like biotech, health, food — and most notably, New Zealand’s emerging space ecosystem. From leading global trade initiatives to supporting export companies and pioneering aerospace collaboration across Aotearoa’s southern regions, David brings a rare mix of vision, experience, and deep sector knowledge. He also has a long-standing passion for social enterprise and economic development — themes that continue to guide his work today. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Aero+Space South - Space Cluster in Otago University of Otago City on Mars by Kelly and Zack Weinersmith Support the show

December 23, 2025Episode 8135 min

Accelerating Access to Space Through Startup Ecosystem Building and Innovation: An Interview with Vedika Latchman-Singh

We continue the alternating series featuring Global Space Enablers Network - GSEN Members. Vedika Latchman-Singh is the Director of Exotopic where she leads the company's growth across Australia and the Asia–Pacific region. Vedika brings over two decades of experience working at the intersection of science, engineering, and innovation, with a particular passion for enabling diverse and inclusive futures in the space industry. Her journey spans roles in strategic partnerships, business development, and sustainability — from supporting Australia's space research programs at CSIRO, to building capacity for young engineers and technologists across Africa and Australia. She has also worked extensively in coaching and mentoring women in STEM fields, contributing to youth outreach and diversity-focused education initiatives. Vedika holds a degree in Chemical Engineering, has trained in professional coaching, and is an alumna of the International Space University’s Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program. At Exotopic, she combines her technical background with a visionary mindset, helping to deliver immersive, futures-oriented experiences that inspire new thinking about space, innovation, and our collective future. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Vedikha's Linkedin Profile Exotopic CSIRO ISU Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program Reading LIst Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez So you want to build a space ecosystem?: A guide to growing a space innovative ecosystem. A Space Ecosystem Maturity Index: Proposition to Assess and Identify the Development Level of Space Innovation Ecosystems Around the World Assessing Space Ecosystem Maturity Through Case Studies: Leveraging the Space Innovation Ecosystem Maturity Rubric for Strategic Development Support the show

November 18, 2025Episode 8044 min

Demistifying Hybernation Research for Space Exploration: An Interview with Ekaterina Kostioukhina

An interview with Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina — a medical doctor, space medicine researcher, educator, and global security advisor. Ekaterina completed her medical training at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, with postgraduate studies at Harvard University. Her current research focuses on hypometabolic states in humans, such as torpor and hibernation, through interdisciplinary collaborations that span borders and institutions. She has served as a guest lecturer at MIT, teaching Space Medicine and Crisis/Disaster Management, and has trained military and intelligence personnel on high-stakes global security issues. Ekaterina is a member of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Forum in Washington, DC, and her expert commentary has been featured in outlets such as Forbes, Crisis Response Journal, and other leading publications. Currently on medical assignment in New Zealand, she continues her work from a remote environment, all while balancing roles as a physician, mother, educator, and mentor to the next generation of space and security professionals. Hosts: SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Hiberia - Hibernational Intelligence Base for Education and Research and International Alliance AlaskaX: Hybernational Science - an edX course exploring hibernation as a blueprint for resilience, drawing on the amazing strategies of animals that endure extreme Arctic winters. Support the show

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