Saeed Ghandari, Iran & New Zealand

This week on Aspiring Martians, I’m joined by Dr. Saeed Ghandhari, a former Mars One 100 finalist, community builder, refugee advocate, martial artist, and aspiring astronaut originally from Iran and now based in Auckland, New Zealand. Saeed’s journey is a remarkable blend of public service and personal ambition—he’s worked for over a decade in Iran’s parliament, helped countless migrants and Māori navigate life in New Zealand, and holds a PhD in International Relations. Not one to slow down, he recently applied for a six-year medical science degree—because, in his words, why not?

In this conversation, we explore what it means to never give up on your dream, even when the path takes unexpected detours. We talk about the value of being unpredictable, his paper on black holes, waiting on Roscosmos, and building hope through Mars One. Also: team dynamics, asteroid indecision, dinosaur contingency plans, space soldiers, Martian toilet innovation, and the importance of keeping a packed Mars bag—just in case.

Featuring