ABOUT THIS EPISODE
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Devin: What is your superpower?
Sascha: Balance of persistent curiosity paired with the practical focus required to run a sustainable business.
Sustainable innovation only truly scales when it delivers a clear economic advantage over status-quo alternatives. For decades, aerospace propulsion has relied on toxic, highly explosive, and expensive solid rocket propellants. Sascha Deri, Founder and CEO of bluShift Aerospace, is turning that paradigm on its head by proving that clean technology can outperform traditional fuels while drastically reducing costs.
From its headquarters at a former naval base in Brunswick, Maine, bluShift Aerospace has developed a proprietary, non-toxic, bio-derived solid rocket fuel. Beyond being virtually carbon neutral and safe enough to eat on camera, this innovative propellant is significantly cheaper to produce and far easier to transport than petroleum-derived counterparts. As Sascha explained during our interview:
“We found that it not only worked, but it worked better than the petroleum fuel... Here’s something which is better for the planet. It’s virtually carbon neutral, the fuel itself. It’s non-toxic... It performs better. It’s a little more energy-dense than the petroleum version is, and very easily had all over the United States.”
This breakthrough bridges the gap between environmental responsibility and market viability. By combining a high-performance bio-fuel with advanced hybrid rocket engine designs, Sascha and his team are creating scalable propulsion solutions for both research and commercial space applications. They have already achieved a world record by launching a commercial rocket using bio-derived fuel and are now advancing toward full commercialization.
“I’ve always wanted to find that intersection between how technology can benefit humanity and the universe and the planet.”
— Sascha Deri
To fund this expansion and scale production, bluShift Aerospace is raising capital from everyday investors through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. Grounded in community-backed capital and hard-nosed engineering, Sascha demonstrates that aligned incentives can accelerate both planetary impact and business success.
tl;dr:
Sascha Deri founded bluShift Aerospace to build cost-effective bio-derived rocket propulsion systems.
The company’s non-toxic solid rocket fuel offers superior energy density at lower costs.
Everyday investors can back bluShift’s growth through their active Wefunder investment crowdfunding campaign.
Sascha defines his superpower as persistent curiosity balanced with pragmatic business execution.
Today’s episode explores how open feedback and innovative engineering advance sustainable aerospace technology.
How to Develop Pragmatic Curiosity As a Superpower
Sascha defines his superpower as a balance of persistent curiosity paired with the practical focus required to run a sustainable business. As Sascha explained, “the first part is the persistent curiosity, sort of that ongoing, like, what if this? Why not that? … Curiosity is great … But then there’s time for doing an execution that’s really needed to bring that commercial opportunity home. And so I think that’s my other sort of, I would say, complementary superpower is the curiosity and then the chill that comes … knowing when to like bring it in … what is the minimal viable product that can get us faster to commercialization.”
While visiting his brother’s farm in Maine, Sascha noticed an everyday, bio-derived substance sitting on a windowsill. Driven by curiosity, he wondered if it could replace traditional petroleum-derived solid rocket fuels. He spent two weeks preparing the substance for a test burn and discovered that the non-toxic, bio-derived fuel actually performed better and offered higher energy density than petroleum alternatives. Sascha then channeled that initial breakthrough into building bluShift Aerospace and developing commercial-scale hybrid engines.
Actionable Tips for Developing the Superpower:
Cultivate persistent curiosity by continually asking “what if” and “why not” when examining complex problems.
Balance creative exploration with strict execution focused on commercial viability and revenue generation.
Remain open to feedback from team members, advisors, and external sources to refine your strategic path.
Identify the minimum viable solution needed to bring innovations efficiently to market.
By following Sascha’s example and advice, you can make pragmatic curiosity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Sascha Deri (he/him):
Founder & CEO, bluShift Aerospace
About bluShift Aerospace: bluShift Aerospace is a propulsion company based in Brunswick, Maine, developing rocket engines and boosters for defense testing, commercial aerospace and suborbital research. Our MAREVL hybrid engine technology uses a proprietary, non-toxic, bio-derived solid fuel and is designed to combine throttle control with simpler manufacturing and lower production costs. Our near-term commercial focus is supplying boosters for hypersonic testing and targets, while continuing to advance applications in scientific research and commercial space. We aim to build a scalable American propulsion business that makes demanding missions more accessible and reduces the hazards associated with manufacturing and handling rocket fuel.
Website: blushiftaerospace.com
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/bluShiftAero
Instagram Handle: @blushiftaero
Other URL: wefunder.com/blushiftaerospace
Biographical Information: Sascha Deri is the founder and CEO of bluShift Aerospace, combining a background in physics and electrical engineering with more than two decades of entrepreneurial experience. In 1999, he co-founded altE Store, a renewable-energy products business. He founded bluShift in 2014 to pursue a different approach to rocket propulsion using a proprietary, bio-derived fuel. Under his leadership, the company has progressed from early experiments to a demonstration launch, full-duration engine testing and government-funded propulsion development. Raised in Maine, Sascha is committed to building an aerospace business that connects technical innovation with environmental responsibility, practical customer needs and skilled manufacturing opportunities in his home state.
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/sascha-deri
Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/sascha.deri.1
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