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upside

220 EpisodesProduced by Jay Clouse and Eric HornungWebsite

Named a top 27 business podcast by Fortune, upside examines startup investing outside of Silicon Valley.Every Wednesday, we speak with an early stage founder. We interview them as if we are angel investors considering the company as an investment opportunity. Each show has three segments: 1.) Intro:… read more

1:06:33

The Launch Company // building the world’s first multi-user, mobile launch site for this planet and beyond [UP085]

Interview begins: 6:51
Debrief: 53:55

Ben Kellie is the Founder and CEO of The Launch Company


The Launch Company is building the world’s first multi-user, mobile launch site for this planet and beyond. They develop standardized hardware, ground support equipment, and processes.


Ben has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from University of Alaska Fairbanks, as well as an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the Ohio State University.  Before returning to Alaska, Ben worked in rocketry at SpaceX, designing and operating launch sites, and ran the first missions to return a first stage from orbit.

We discuss:

  • Launch Pad? 13:26
  • Privatized Spaceflight Project 15:08
  • Doing the Math on Launch Pads 17:38
  • Measuring Precision 20:40
  • Rocket Launching 22:31
  • Space program through the years 23:48
  • Demand for Space Exploration 27:12
  • Putting stuff into space 28:40
  • Kessler Effect 30:14
  • The Launch Company 31:39
  • Being in an off planet project 35:40
  • Red Tape in transactions 37:39
  • SpaceX Mafia 39:23
  • Capital in Space 40:44
  • Bootstrapping The Launch Company 41:36
  • Horizontal Rebundling 43:45
  • Building a company in Alaska 46:05

The Launch Company was founded in 2015 and based in Anchorage, Alaska.


Learn more about The Launch Company: https://www.launch-company.com/

Follow Ben Kellie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/northroadben


This episode is sponsored by Fundboard. You can build a tailor-fit list of startup investors in minutes with FundBoard. Learn more at https://upside.fm/fundboard


Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm 

Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds 
--
This episode of upside is sponsored by Ethos Wealth Management. Managing wealth with an eye toward the future demands vigilance and skill in today’s global economy. Over the years, Ethos Wealth Management has worked with clients and their other professional advisors – including attorneys and accountants – to create comprehensive wealth management plans designed to make the best use of their wealth today and help ensure its endurance for future generations.


They can do the same for you. 


Visit upside.fm/ethos to learn more.



This episode is also sponsored by Fundboard. 


FundBoard is a free tool to help you find startup investors and manage your fundraising process.


You can build a tailor-fit list of startup investors in minutes with FundBoard. Learn more at https://upside.fm/fundboard



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