Why I Joined Epsilon3: Max’s Story
My name is Max Mednik, and I’m the Co-Founder and COO of Epsilon3.
Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be a pilot. That was always my answer when someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I even knew what kind: I wanted to be a commercial pilot flying normal passengers every day on a big jetliner.
That love of flying never really went away, and the closest I’ve gotten so far to making it real has been starting my private pilot license certification. That initial dream as a kid also inspired my love of science and led me to study computer science and entrepreneurship and eventually create high-tech companies of my own.
The dream of going to space was always coupled with flying. I distinctly remember going on a trip with some friends and lying on the ground at night in a camp site, looking up at the stars and discussing the cosmos, our (in)significance on this planet, the meaning of life, and other topics that young, care-free minds are prone to spend hours considering and discussing instead of going to sleep.
While my first two startup adventures were focused on pure software (in the financial and legal realms), I knew I wanted to find opportunities to build companies that had some direct impact on the physical world and ideally did something related to flight. I got the chance to start doing that with my third startup, Epirus, which builds counter-drone defense systems. I really enjoyed working in the aerospace/defense field, and playing--I mean, doing serious work--with drones was obviously very cool. I knew I wanted to stay in the aerospace industry, but I realized there could be tremendous value in focusing on the software infrastructure that powers the industry as opposed to making our own hardware. I was very lucky to be introduced by my former co-founder to Laura Crabtree, who is a certified space industry bada$$. I was excited about all her ideas about the future of software tools for the space industry and felt inspired by her long-term vision to build technology that helps make space travel and interplanetary existence a reality in our lifetime.
Once we got going, I was encouraged by all the people we spoke to who resonated with the problems we were tackling and expressed a desperate need for better tools to support their missions. I personally get such a kick out of knowing that I’m helping to build software that will power live space missions this year. I’m also thoroughly enjoying working with my teammates and learning from each of them every day, whether about space or technology or anything else.
My friends and family sometimes ask me if I would go to space if I had the chance. Whenever I hear that question, it appeals to my inner child. For me, the answer is a no-brainer: even though it’s certainly risky, I would always take the chance to fly and go to space. Until then, I’m excited to help build Epsilon3, which is actually my secret weapon to hopefully ensuring the day comes when I get the chance to go to space myself. Epsilon3, the OS for aerospace operations, will speed up the development of manned spacecraft, accelerating my dream of boarding a rocket destined for the stars… powered by Epsilon3’s software. Ad Astra!
