First Kiwi in Space

He changed his name to Rocket, launched New Zealand's first private space vehicle, and is set to become the first Kiwi in space 🚀.

Meet Mark Rocket, a pioneering New Zealand entrepreneur who transitioned from playing in rock bands to launching the Southern Hemisphere’s first private rocket into space with Rocket Lab 🛰️.

Now leading Kea Aerospace, he's innovating in stratospheric drone technology. In this episode, Mark dives deep into his unconventional journey—from growing up in grungy Christchurch to making groundbreaking strides in aerospace 🌌, and preparing to fulfill his lifelong dream 🌠 as the first Kiwi scheduled to journey into space aboard Blue Origin's suborbital rocket 🚀 (target launch date to be announced soon!).

Mark shares candid insights on overcoming skepticism, navigating co-founder dynamics, and how his passion for space technology led him to invest in and co-found Rocket Lab alongside Peter Beck. Discover how Kea Aerospace is revolutionizing environmental monitoring 🌱, telecommunications, and disaster response from the stratosphere. Also, hear Mark’s bold truths about balancing entrepreneurship with personal well-being, and what it means to be preparing for history as New Zealand's first citizen astronaut 👨‍🚀.

Key Topics:

🚀 Launching the Southern Hemisphere's First Private Rocket

🌏 From Busking in Europe to Aerospace Entrepreneurship

🤝 Co-founding Rocket Lab & Navigating Early Challenges

✈️ Innovating with Stratospheric Drone Technology

🌌 Why New Zealand is a Unique Aerospace Hub

🛠️ Entrepreneurship: Making It Happen Against All Odds

🛰️ First Kiwi in Space with Blue Origin

🔮 Future Vision for Kia Aerospace & Global Expansion

🤝 Connect with Mark Rocket:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rocket-8727353

Kea Aerospace: https://www.keaaerospace.com🔗 Learn more about NZVC:

Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nz

Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/

Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/

⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Growing Up in Christchurch

07:42 - Early Life & Travels in Post-Cold War Europe

14:34 - Discovering the Internet & Early Career

19:12 - Starting New Zealand's First Internet Marketing Firm

29:04 - Selling a Company & Investing in Aerospace

30:36 - Meeting Peter Beck & Founding Rocket Lab

38:30 - Launching Kea Aerospace & Stratospheric Innovation43:22 - Applications of Stratospheric Drones

49:54 - Transitioning Views on Defense Tech

55:03 - The Future of Aerospace in New Zealand

58:54 - Entrepreneurship Advice & Key Traits

1:03:08 - Personal Vision & Kea Aerospace’s Future

#startups, #business, #NewZealand, #aerospace, #RocketLab, #KeaAerospace, #space, #innovation, #entrepreneurship, #technology, #stratosphere, #EarthObservation, #telecommunications, #defensetech, #founderstories, #NZtech, #drones, #globalbusiness, #spaceindustry, #techpodcast

First Kiwi in Space

TechMates

Where can you listen?

Episodes