In a David and Goliath space-race, Sir Peter Beck, a boy from Invercargill, is more than holding his own.
In 2009, Beck's then-fledgling company - Rocket Lab - became the first in the Southern Hemisphere to launch a rocket into orbit. Today, the company is valued at US$2 billion on the stock market, employs 1,800 people globally, and is the most prolific commercial launch provider behind only SpaceX - owned by one of the world's wealthiest men, Elon Musk.
Rocket Lab's 49 missions have included NASA's 2022 lunar CAPSTONE mission, and more than 160 satellites into orbit for scientific, national security, and university research. The newly appointed Knight speaks to Paddy.
Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck. Photo: Rocket Lab
