Most of us grew up watching rocket launches on TV.
Matthew Melerine grew up to help build them.
In this episode of The Last Zebra, I sat down with Matthew — a New Orleans native and aerospace engineer who literally puts things in space. From working at NASA’s Stennis Space Center to helping move spacecraft in orbit, his job comes down to one simple (and wild) description:
“I’m basically a rocket plumber.”
We talk about what rocket propulsion actually is (hint: it’s not pushing against air), why space is becoming more accessible than ever, and how the next generation will grow up seeing space travel as normal — not extraordinary.
We also get into:
What Hollywood gets wrong about space
How medicines are being manufactured in orbit
Why engineers across industries are all building toward the same frontier
And what it would really take to get humans to Mars
Matthew’s passion isn’t just rockets — it’s inspiring the next generation to realize that space isn’t science fiction anymore. It’s an industry. And it’s growing.
🚀 If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what’s out there — this one’s for you.
💬 Comment “SPACE” if you’d take the trip to Mars.
🎧 Watch or listen to the FULL conversation with Matthew Melerine on The Last Zebra Podcast:
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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-zebra/id1715958112
Captivate: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-last-zebra/
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Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra explores the people building the future — one story at a time.
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