HOW WE STARTED
“Let’s make a global astronaut training program where anyone in the world has a chance to fly to space”.
Space Nation can be traced back to the visionary concept of establishing a worldwide astronaut training program that extends the opportunity of space travel to individuals across Earth.
Co-founded by friends Mazdak Nassir and Kalle Vähä-Jaakkola, both harboring a deep-seated passion for space exploration, this endeavor was born out of the recognition of a compelling necessity—a need to elevate and unify humanity at a global scale.
ABOUT US
Founded in Finland in 2013 and reimagined in the U.S. in 2019, Space Nation is built on a global vision: to make space more accessible to everyone, everywhere.
We launched our journey with an astronaut training app that reached over 50,000 users worldwide by 2018. Since then, we’ve expanded our community through engaging programs like Lost in Space webinars and our Spaceport initiative.
A decade of pioneering space exploration has led us to Midland, Texas—the epicenter of human spaceflight innovation. Here, amidst the vast West Texas landscape, our international team is crafting immersive space experiences that bridge Earth and the cosmos. Whether in Texas, across the globe, or beyond our atmosphere, we're opening doors for everyone to touch the stars.
OUR MISSION
Across a decade of evolution, Space Nation remains anchored to its founding vision.
To establish sustainable communities beyond Earth and drive human-led industrial operations throughout the solar system.
To forge connections between people on Earth and
the promising future of space, by extending the life-altering benefits of space exploration to a global audience.
SPACE NATION CREW
Kalle Vaha-Jaakkola
Captain & Co-Founder
Mazdak Nassir
Chief Creative Officer & Co-founder
Gregory H. Johnson
Chief Space Advisor
Morgan Kainu
Mission Development Director
Matt Wise
Mission Operations Director
Amanda Nguyen
Executive Assistant
Alex Arthur
Head of Mission Leadership &
Crew Development
Amanda Vasquez
Operations Coordinator
Aisha Mir
Spaceport Community
Manager
Shreya Mane
Space Content Developer
Jean-Angelo Perea
Mission Advisor
Rommel Kilongan
Appointment Setter
ADVISORS
Michael T. Suffredini
Former long-time Program Manager of International Space Station. CEO of Axiom Space building the first commercial space station.
Laura Edwards
Top 50 Space Tech Leader. A global innovation & strategic partnerships
executive consulting leading technology & media companies.
Peter Vesterbacka
Creator of Angry Birds brand and phenomenon. Heavy weight support for
branding, marketing and partnerships.
Mary Lynne Dittmar
Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar is Vice-President of Axiom Space, former President
and CEO of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (CDSE).
Shann Biglione
Marketing strategist, worked client and agency side, delivering creative,
content, tech & media strategies for some of the world's biggest brands.
Cathy Hawley
Strategic leader in proactive human resources management: training and
development, multi-site/multi-national management coaching.
John Barbera
Digital and television industry veteran. Former President of Turner
Broadcasting Sales, President of 24/7 RealMedia.
Dan Lopez
From the International Space Station to Times Square, expertise in building
& managing global business development, product, & devops teams.