Full Name
Peter Beck
Job Title
Chief Executive Officer
Company
Rocket Lab
Speaker Bio
Peter Beck is the founder, CEO, chief engineer at Rocket Lab, a leading space systems company that develops and launches rockets and satellites to provide vital data and services from space.
Eager to provide better access to space for small satellites, Peter founded Rocket Lab in 2006 following a decade and a half of propulsion research and space technology market development. After completing development programs for institutional space companies including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Aerojet Rocketdyne, Peter established the Electron program, an ambitious program to develop the world’s carbon composite orbital launch vehicle powered by 3D printed engines. Since the first Electron launch in 2017, Rocket Lab has provided dedicated access to orbit for a range of civil, defense, and commercial satellite operators including NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, DARPA, U.S. Air Force and more.
Peter also oversaw the development of Rocket Lab’s two launch sites in the United States and New Zealand, the latter of which is the world’s first and only private orbital launch range, located on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula. Peter played a crucial role in establishing international treaties and legislation to enable orbital launch capability from New Zealand.
Today, Peter also leads Rocket Lab’s space systems division which produces satellite buses tailored for missions to low Earth orbit, lunar orbits, and interplanetary destinations.
Under Peter’s guidance, Rocket Lab has become the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, regularly deploying satellites that enable communications, Earth observation, weather and climate monitoring, technology demonstrations, and intelligence. He leads a 600+ strong team of world-leading engineers across the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Passionate about supporting STEM education and serving as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, Peter sits on the board of a number of technology start-ups and provides mentorship to young leaders in the space and technology industries.
Eager to provide better access to space for small satellites, Peter founded Rocket Lab in 2006 following a decade and a half of propulsion research and space technology market development. After completing development programs for institutional space companies including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Aerojet Rocketdyne, Peter established the Electron program, an ambitious program to develop the world’s carbon composite orbital launch vehicle powered by 3D printed engines. Since the first Electron launch in 2017, Rocket Lab has provided dedicated access to orbit for a range of civil, defense, and commercial satellite operators including NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, DARPA, U.S. Air Force and more.
Peter also oversaw the development of Rocket Lab’s two launch sites in the United States and New Zealand, the latter of which is the world’s first and only private orbital launch range, located on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula. Peter played a crucial role in establishing international treaties and legislation to enable orbital launch capability from New Zealand.
Today, Peter also leads Rocket Lab’s space systems division which produces satellite buses tailored for missions to low Earth orbit, lunar orbits, and interplanetary destinations.
Under Peter’s guidance, Rocket Lab has become the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, regularly deploying satellites that enable communications, Earth observation, weather and climate monitoring, technology demonstrations, and intelligence. He leads a 600+ strong team of world-leading engineers across the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Passionate about supporting STEM education and serving as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, Peter sits on the board of a number of technology start-ups and provides mentorship to young leaders in the space and technology industries.
Speaking At
