Hi TechMates Community,
Hendrik Remigereau here, bringing you another extraordinary conversation, powered by NZVC, the venture firm backing the next generation of iconic companies from New Zealand and beyond. Our guest today truly embodies what it means to dream big and reach for the stars 🚀.
Joining us is Mark Rocket, the pioneering Kiwi entrepreneur who changed his name to reflect his lifelong passion for space, launched New Zealand’s first private space vehicle, and recently became the first Kiwi to fly into space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-32 mission. From signing up for space travel nearly two decades ago to finally making history with Blue Origin, Mark’s incredible journey underscores the power of persistence and bold vision.
Explore the episode
In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌱 The power of meticulous preparation – Mark’s key leadership insight from Blue Origin’s precision training.
💡 Why clarity and simplicity are essential for effective communication – a pivotal takeaway from his training and flight experience.
🔥 Inside Mark’s historic journey with Blue Origin – becoming New Zealand’s first astronaut.
🌍 Reflections from the edge of space – Mark’s profound insights on viewing Earth from space.
🚀 Mark Rocket’s journey from space enthusiast to astronaut – achieving a lifelong dream.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights!
Listen or read the highlights below
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - Blue Origin Spaceflight Experience
02:09 - Preparing for Space Travel
03:16 - Training and Safety Protocols
05:29 - Feelings Before Launch
06:03 - Launch Day Excitement
07:05 - Takeoff and Acceleration
07:55 - Zero Gravity Experience
08:49 - Viewing Earth from Space
10:08 - Emotional Reflections from Space
11:29 - Descent and Landing
12:21 - First Moments Back on Earth
13:17 - Future Space Travel Plans
Inside Mark Rocket’s Historic Flight: First Kiwi in Space
Countdown to History
"You're riding a controlled explosion up to space,"
Mark laughs, reflecting on the surreal moment before liftoff aboard Blue Origin’s spacecraft. Meticulous training days at the West Texas launch site prepared him for all possibilities—including emergency scenarios like handling extreme G-forces if something went awry. Mark notes,
"There's an element of 'Oh my God, what am I doing here?' But that’s part of the adventure."
Journey to Zero-G
Once in flight, Mark quickly transitioned from intense acceleration to serene weightlessness. Floating effortlessly around the capsule, he described zero-gravity as unexpectedly intuitive,
"It was a lot less complicated than I thought it would be,"
allowing him to fully immerse in the unique experience of space.
A Perspective-Altering View
The profound emotional moment for Mark was looking out at Earth’s curvature framed by the stark blackness of space:
"The blackness of space was overwhelming," he recalls vividly. "Just the immensity of it—it surprised me emotionally."
His brief minutes at the edge of space brought deep reflection on the beauty and fragility of our home planet.
A Safe Return
The journey back to Earth included intense moments—high G-forces and the reassuring deployment of parachutes. Touching down safely, Mark was overwhelmed with gratitude and adrenaline, summing up the moment as "a lifetime dream to experience."
Mark Rocket’s voyage proves that a daring vision backed by determination can lead to remarkable, history-making accomplishments.
For more in-depth insights from Mark Rocket, be sure to listen to the full TechMates podcast episode!
Thanks for your support—we’re excited to have you with us!
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Happy listening,
The TechMates Team
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