When you’re five or six years old, what’s the biggest question you’ve pondered? For Ashi, it was staring at star maps and dreaming of becoming an astronaut. For Reza, it was wondering why no one seemed to be preparing humanity for the distant day when the Sun would “eat” Earth, depicted graphically in a children’s astronomy book. Fast forward to today, and these two visionary engineers have turned childhood curiosity into groundbreaking innovation at their company, Spacium.

I recently spoke with Ashi and Reza about their incredible journey, starting from university where their shared passion for space brought them together. Ashi, an aerospace engineer from Syracuse and the University of Ottawa, and Reza, deeply fascinated by astronomy and driven by existential curiosity, first collaborated building rockets at Ottawa Rocketry. Their shared passion quickly evolved into a partnership that would lead them to establish Spacium.

Spacium is pioneering an essential and innovative service for the future of space exploration: automated, in-space refuelling stations. Think petrol stations, but for spacecraft. This capability addresses one of the biggest limitations in current space operations—fuel. Without refuelling, spacecraft are severely restricted in payload capacity, mission longevity, and operational range. Spacium’s stations aim to eliminate these barriers, opening new frontiers in space exploration.

Chatting with Ashi and Reza, what struck me most was their unwavering resilience. When they first pitched their idea, refuelling stations in orbit were met with considerable scepticism. They faced genuine adversity, including a point when they had only $2 left in their bank account, nearly losing their home in the process. Yet, they never wavered in their commitment. As Ashi emphasised, their secret was simple but powerful: “Always listen to your customers.”

Their persistence eventually paid off when they were accepted into Y Combinator (YC), a significant turning point that validated their vision and marked the start of a successful new chapter. This resilience and commitment to continuous iteration—directly influenced by regular customer feedback—highlight a crucial lesson for any entrepreneur: determination combined with flexibility can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Both Ashi and Reza speak passionately about the space industry, especially its community. They love being surrounded by people equally committed to pushing the boundaries of possibility. In their words, it doesn’t feel like work because they’re doing exactly what they love.

We also discussed how to make the space industry more accessible and relatable. Ashi and Reza advocate strongly for practical, hands-on experiences at all educational levels, suggesting schools encourage students to build simple CubeSats. They believe that hands-on experiences in engineering or other practical projects are not only essential but profoundly inspirational, sparking interest far more effectively than theory alone.

Reflecting on their experiences, Ashi’s advice is clear: “Never give up.” The journey from near financial ruin to industry pioneers is proof of what dedication can achieve. Reza added a powerful perspective about ambition: if you’re going to build something, it may as well be something extraordinary—even if the risk of failure is high.

Their story is a brilliant illustration of what makes the space industry so exciting and inclusive—opportunities abound, not only for engineers and scientists but for everyone from accountants and lawyers to marketers and salespeople. The industry’s openness, collaborative nature, and genuine enthusiasm make it uniquely welcoming to new talent.

As we wrapped up our conversation, I found myself deeply inspired by Ashi and Reza’s tenacity and vision. From youthful dreams to groundbreaking innovations, their journey underscores the power of passion, perseverance, and relentless curiosity.

If you’re feeling inspired, take their advice: dive in, start building, and talk to people in the industry. Space is waiting for your unique contributions—and your journey, just like Ashi and Reza’s, might lead you to the stars.