Senator King’s podcast can be found HERE or on Apple Podcasts

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today released the July episode of his “Inside Maine” podcast. The Senator was joined by NASA Administrator and former astronaut Bill Nelson, along with the CEO and founder of bluShift Aerospace, Sascha Deri, to discuss Maine’s emerging space industry.

“Maine entrepreneurs are directing our state towards the stars,” said Senator King. “We’ve seen immense progress in Maine’s space industry just over the past couple years. The opportunities for jobs, research, and education in the space sector are rapidly expanding. With the innovation really reaching new heights in our state, I was glad to speak with Administrator Nelson and Sascha Deri to share their perspectives about the space industry and Maine’s leadership in the field.”

Administrator Bill Nelson is a former U.S. Representative and Senator from the state of Florida, home to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. During his time in Congress, Nelson chaired the Space and Science Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives for 6 years and in the U.S. Senate for 12 years. He served as the Ranking Member of the full Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and was recognized as the leading space program advocate in Congress. Nelson was sworn in as Administrator of NASA in May of 2021.

Sascha Deri is the founder and CEO of bluShift Aerospace, the first company in the world to launch a biofuel powered commercial rocket. The company is one of 30 in the state focused on spaceflight work and the first Maine company to launch a commercial rocket. Sascha grew up in Maine and attended Earlham College in Indiana, where he earned his degree in physics, and went on to receive his second degree in electrical engineering from University of Southern Maine. Sascha is also the co-founder of the altE Store, a national renewable energy product distribution and light manufacturing company.

This podcast follows Senator King’s recent visit with Administrator Nelson to the bluShift Aerospace facility in Brunswick, Maine. During this visit, Administrator Nelson described Maine as having a “brilliant future in space.” As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King has long recognized the important position space holds in the country’s future, as seen in his questioning of Commander of the United States Space Command and Space Force Chief of Space Operations.

The ‘Inside Maine’ podcast, which airs the last Saturday of each month, aims to keep Maine people informed on issues, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work.

To listen to the July edition of Senator King’s podcast, click HERE, or find it on apple podcasts.