Stefan Powell transitioned from early rocketry experiments to co-founding Dawn Aerospace, a company pioneering rapid, reusable spaceflight. As CEO and CTO, he's leading the development of the Mk-II Aurora—a rocket-powered aircraft designed to fly to space twice in a single day, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional launch systems. And yes, Elon Musk is watching. 👀
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How aircraft-like operations are revolutionizing space access
✅ The business model enabling multiple daily flights without toxic emissions
✅ Dawn's approach to competing with established players like SpaceX
✅ Insights into scaling a deep-tech startup from prototype to global impact
Why This Episode Will Change Your Perspective on Aerospace:
🌍 Exploring sustainable practices in spaceflight
📈 Understanding the economics of rapid, reusable launch systems
🚀 The evolving landscape of the space industry beyond traditional giants
🔗 Connect with Stefan Powell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/spowell111/
🔗 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: From early experiments to aerospace innovation
06:22 – Founding Dawn Aerospace and early challenges
13:15 – Development of Mk-II Aurora and its unique capabilities
23:40 – The importance of green propulsion in modern spaceflight
38:10 – Competing in the aerospace industry without massive funding
46:55 – Building a hardware company in New Zealand
58:00 – Advice for aspiring deep-tech entrepreneurs
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