Dr Ben Kaebe, Founding Director: Dr. Benjamin D. Kaebe is a visionary aerospace engineer, physicist, data scientist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for the space economy. Based in Perth, Western Australia, he serves as Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia and Executive Director (and founder) of Aneutronic, a company focused on heavy lift infrastructure development.

Born in Germany, Dr. Kaebe earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering Science from the Technical University of Berlin. He began his career with practical engineering roles, including designing ventricular assist devices (holding several patents) and serving as a key account manager at Volkswagen. In 2015, he was invited to pursue his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at UNSW Canberra (Australian Defence Force Academy). His doctoral research pioneered a non-intrusive laser spectroscopy system capable of measuring temperature and shock wave phenomena at an astonishing 1.6 million scans per second.

After completing his PhD, Dr. Kaebe relocated to Perth, drawn by its ideal climate and potential. He worked as a Research Associate at UWA in quantum physics, contributed to data science and hydrogen optimization projects at Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), and served as Technical Interface Manager for the SpAARC (Space Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Control Complex) project at Fugro. These experiences honed his expertise across fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, experimental methods, and complex systems integration.

Today, Dr. Kaebe is a leading voice for building a thriving space economy in Western Australia. As a self-proclaimed "Space Champion," TEDxKingsPark speaker, and science communicator, he passionately argues that WA is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in space launch capabilities. His compelling TEDx talk, "The Perfect Spaceport: Western Australia’s Golden Opportunity," highlights how near-equatorial launch sites in WA could offer superior access to space, lower costs, and economic transformation—potentially sparking a modern "gold rush" in the trillion-dollar space industry by 2030.

Central to his vision is the S.P.I.D.E.R. (Space Port International - Dependable Equatorial Rocket-Launch) project: a proposed world-class super-heavy launch facility in Western Australia. Through Aneutronic, Dr. Kaebe champions reusable rocket infrastructure, sovereign launch capability, satellite servicing, and sustainable practices to position Australia as a key player in the new space race—alongside efforts like NASA’s Artemis program and commercial heavy-lift vehicles.

Dr. Kaebe’s work bridges academia, industry, and public engagement. He has spoken at major events, including the Western Australian Museum, mining and robotics conferences, and defence forums. His multidisciplinary background—from medical devices and automotive engineering to quantum research and space advocacy—fuels a pragmatic yet ambitious approach: solving Earth’s challenges by tackling the vast opportunities of space.

A dedicated resident of Western Australia, Dr. Benjamin D. Kaebe embodies the spirit of innovation and exploration. His tireless efforts to establish a spaceport in WA aim not only to unlock economic growth and technological advancement but to inspire the next generation to reach for the stars—making space accessible, sustainable, and beneficial for all humanity.