SpaceBase Podcast

Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom
  • 2.5 (2)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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. 

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

    JAN 22

    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

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

    12/23/2025

    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

    36 min
  3. Demistifying Hybernation Research for Space Exploration: An Interview with Ekaterina Kostioukhina

    11/18/2025

    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

    44 min
  4. Developing Superconducting Magnets for Breakthrough Spacecraft Propulsion Systems: An Interview with Ben Mallett

    10/29/2025

    Developing Superconducting Magnets for Breakthrough Spacecraft Propulsion Systems: An Interview with Ben Mallett

    An interview with Dr. Ben Mallett — a senior scientist at the Paihau-Robinson Research Institute and co-founder of JxB Space Systems, a bold new space startup positioning New Zealand at the forefront of next-generation spacecraft propulsion. Ben has been instrumental in developing superconducting magnet systems now operating aboard the International Space Station as part of the recently launched Heki mission. He led the creation of a superconducting flux pump. — a device that energizes spacecraft magnets using drastically less power than traditional systems. This is a milestone not just for New Zealand space tech, but for global efforts toward sustainable space propulsion. Ben holds a Bachelors and Doctoral degrees in Physics from the the Macdiarmid Institute and Victoria University of Wellington. Beyond the lab, he was selected into a global space accelerator program in 2023, where he helped shape the commercial vision for JxB while continuing to break technical ground. Ben just won the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation - Breakthrough Innovation Award  this month.  Hosts:  SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Paihau-Robinson Research Institute Heki Mission - a technology demonstration mission to the International Space Station (ISS) that launched in September 2025. CHIASMA - connecting university students to STEM industries Support the show

    32 min
  5. Pioneering Astropreneurship Around the World: An Interview with Stephan Reckie

    09/29/2025

    Pioneering Astropreneurship Around the World: An Interview with Stephan Reckie

    An interview with Stephan Reckie — a visionary leader, space entrepreneur, educator, and global connector. Stephan is the Executive Director of GEN Space, the space-focused arm of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, a platform operating in over 170 countries to empower anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business. At GEN Space, Stephan helps catalyze the growth of "astropreneurs" — entrepreneurs leveraging the space economy — by fostering cross-border collaboration between startups, investors, policymakers, researchers, and educators. Beyond GEN Space, Stephan holds multiple advisory and board positions with organizations that shape space innovation and policy, including EBAN Space, Beyond Earth Institute, and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). He’s a champion for international cooperation, mentoring, and empowering underrepresented communities through space-related opportunities. He teaches space entrepreneurship internationally, mentors student-led ventures, and supports innovation ecosystems from Armenia to Italy to the U.S. With a global mindset and a passion for expanding access to the space economy, Stephan brings a powerful perspective on how space entrepreneurship can uplift economies and societies worldwide. Hosts:  SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) - operates in 200 countries with a mission to make it easier for anyone, anywhere, to start and scale a business GEN - SPACE- enabling ventures in all industries. Leveraging lower earth orbit access. ISS National Laboratory - provides access to microgravity R&D on ISS ESA Bussiness Incubation Centres - ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs) are the largest network of incubators supporting space related start-ups in Europe. Teachers in Space - non-profit educational organization that gets students excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing their teachers with extraordinary space science experiences and industry connections. Support the show

    40 min
  6. Building New Zealand's Satellite Capability while Addressing the Space Debris Problem: An Interview with Ben Taylor

    08/28/2025

    Building New Zealand's Satellite Capability while Addressing the Space Debris Problem: An Interview with Ben Taylor

    An interview with Dr. Ben Taylor, a seasoned scientist, engineer, and project manager with over 15 years of experience delivering full-lifecycle space missions across the UK, Europe, and now Aotearoa New Zealand. Ben is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Te Pūnaha Ātea – Space Institute at the University of Auckland, and Co-Founder of Frond Space Systems, a startup offering compact and reliable end-of-life and deployable satellite systems. Previously, Ben held leadership roles at the Surrey Space Centre and University College London, where he helped design, build, test, and operate CubeSats like ALSat-Nano, InflateSail, and RemoveDebris — missions that pushed the boundaries of small satellite technology and active debris removal. He’s also contributed to radiation detection research and calibration for the Galileo program, and has delivered presentations at major international space conferences. Ben holds a PhD in Space Science from the University of Surrey, is a certified project management professional, and has been interviewed by major media outlets on cutting-edge space topics. Hosts:  SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Resources Auckland Programme for Space Systems - University of Auckland University Nanosat Program - US Air Force Support the show

    37 min
  7. Mentorship and Role Models Empower Space Innovators Worldwide: An Interview with Merve Balaban

    07/25/2025

    Mentorship and Role Models Empower Space Innovators Worldwide: An Interview with Merve Balaban

    An interview with Merve Balaban, Project Manager & Systems Engineer for Berlin Space Consortium, a german space company focused on the development, manufacturing and testing of space propulsion systems.   Merve has bachelors and masters degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the Technical University in Berlin and is currently working on her doctorate degree from the university of Dresden in Germany. While  born and raised in Germany, her family is from Turkey and is involved in helping grow the aerospace ecosystem there while volunteering for organizations like Stellar Lab and the Space Generation Advisory Council.  She mentors students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career in the aerospace industry. Merve is currently lead for the Global Space Enablers Network (GSEN) Mentorship Program initiative. Hosts:  SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Support the show Support the show

    30 min
  8. Pioneering from Two Hemispheres: A Serial Entrepreneur's Perspective on NZ Space

    06/29/2025

    Pioneering from Two Hemispheres: A Serial Entrepreneur's Perspective on NZ Space

    An interview with Michael D’Angelo, the Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder of Phantom Space, and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Wolverine Capital. Mike is an innovator and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in space, aviation, biotech, and investment management. He has been a founding and executive team member of more than ten companies. He has held leadership roles at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, POET, Pratt & Whitney, and a multi-billion-dollar family office as EVP of Direct Ventures. Earlier in his career, Mike was an executive at a venture-backed aerospace startup where he led the development, flight testing, and FAA certification of three manned, rocket-powered aircraft.  He holds multiple patents, and degrees in Mechanical and  Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from New Hampshire Univ and MIT, as well as an MBA from Cornell. He is an Edmund Hillary Fellow and a 5 time recipient of the Jonas Weil Entrepreneurship Fellowship from Cornell University. Resources: Rocket Racing League Ceres Robotics Quitnet Ventures Hosts:  SpaceBase Founder Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Support the show

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

2.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SpaceBase Podcast
  • Show Website
    SpaceBase Podcast