Rocket Men

The Rocket Men were a group of pirates who plundered planets for their riches. Their name was a reference to their use of jetpacks. (AUDIO: The Rocket Men, Return of the Rocket Men) The Fourth Doctor described them as "a nefarious collection of criminals, blackguards and ne'er-do-wells". (AUDIO: Requiem for the Rocket Men) considered them to be "a pathetic ragtag group of no-hopers with delusions of power on a cosmic scale". (AUDIO: The Two Masters)

History
The Rocket Men, led by Ashman, invaded Platform Five in orbit of Jobis but they were defeated by the First Doctor, Ian Chesterton, Barbara Wright and Vicki Pallister. During this time Ashman was killed. (AUDIO: The Rocket Men) Following Ashman's death, more than a dozen groups of his fellow Rocket Men began fighting for control of his territories. (AUDIO: Return of the Rocket Men)

At some point, the Rocket Men, led by Van Cleef, encountered Steven Taylor, but he was saved by his future self, who was apparently shot dead. (AUDIO: Return of the Rocket Men)

After Van Cleef's death, the Rocket Men put a bounty on the Doctor's head. (AUDIO: Requiem for the Rocket Men)

The Rocket Men owned hundreds of slaves. It was not uncommon for the Rocket Men to recruit their members by kidnapping them. (AUDIO: Requiem for the Rocket Men)

The Rocket Men's king, Shandar, later joined forces with. The Fourth Doctor destroyed the Asteroid which contained their home base. (AUDIO: Requiem for the Rocket Men)

After the destruction of the Asteroid, the Rocket Men became a much weaker force. To make ends meet, they stole whatever ship they could get their hands on, and used it to transport grain across the galaxy. The Seventh Doctor described them as "late period Rocket Men". (AUDIO: The Two Masters)