WE OPEN ACCESS TO SPACE TO IMPROVE LIFE ON EARTH

Peter founded Rocket Lab in 2006 with the goal of opening access to space. Under Peter's leadership, Rocket Lab has become the leading end-to-end space company delivering advanced rockets, satellites and spacecraft. 

Peter led the development of the Electron rocket, an industry-defining launch vehicle that unlocked frequent, reliable and cost-effective access to orbit for small satellites. Under Peter’s leadership, Rocket Lab pioneered advanced aerospace manufacturing techniques for Electron, developing the world’s first carbon composite orbital launch vehicle and the first 3D printed, electric pump cycle orbital rocket engine. First launched in 2017, Electron is now the second most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket. Peter led further industry disruption with the development of the world’s first private orbital launch site, Launch Complex 1, located in in New Zealand. The move catalyzed the establishment of international treaties and legislation to enable U.S. launches from foreign soil.

Recognizing the need to simplify satellites as well as launch, Peter grew Rocket Lab to encompass space systems. Today, the company produces the Photon family of spacecraft, a portfolio of market and technology leading satellite components, spacecraft engineering and design services, and on-orbit constellation management services. Under Peter’s leadership, Rocket Lab space systems have been selected for missions to the Moon, Mars and Venus.

An award-winning engineer, Peter has been presented with the Meritorious Medal, Cooper Medal, Pickering Medal and Gold Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society for services of an exceptional nature and innovation breakthroughs. He has also been awarded New Zealander of the Year (innovation) and regional EY Entrepreneur of the Year. In recognition of Peter’s outstanding contributions to aerospace, entrepreneurship and technical innovation he was appointed as an adjunct professor in aerospace engineering by the University of Auckland.

As an ardent supporter of innovation and entrepreneurialism, Peter is an active investor and serves on the board of several technology firms including Halter, Foundry Lab and Astrix. He also serves as an adviser to several leading venture capital firms.

Prior to founding Rocket Lab, Peter’s began his career with an apprenticeship as precision engineer before moving into production machinery design, product design and analysis. He later went to a government research institute where he focused on advanced composites structures and materials for high performance applications. While at the government lab Peter led several complex engineering programs to optimize technologies including wind turbines and superconductors. In his own time, Peter began building rockets at an early age, steadily increasing their size and complexity over time. In 2009 he successfully launched Atea-1– the first commercially-developed rocket to reach space from the Southern Hemisphere.

Sven Strohband was appointed to the board of Rocket Lab in 2013. Sven is the Chief Technology Officer of Khosla Ventures, and he has led the technical diligence for numerous investment opportunities. Prior to Khosla Ventures, Sven spent six years at Mohr Davidow Ventures and earlier was a project manager at Volkswagen. Sven holds a doctorate and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.

David Cowan was appointed to the board of Rocket Lab in 2014. David launched Bessemer’s practices in cloud infrastructure, consumer tech, cyber-security and space tech. During David’s time with Bessemer his portfolio has included companies such as LinkedIn, Twitch and Skybox Imaging. David has also co-founded three cyber security companies and overseen over 20 IPOs. David holds an MBA from Harvard University.

Matt Ocko was appointed to the board of Rocket Lab in 2016. Matt, a Managing Partner at DCVC, has three decades of experience as both entrepreneur and VC. His current and prior investments include companies in orbital imaging and intelligence, applied AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and national defense, with 10 IPOs and acquisitions each worth $1 billion or more. He founded email pioneer Da Vinci Systems, which had more than one million users worldwide before acquisition. Matt holds over 40 hardware and software patents, and has a degree in physics from Yale University.

Dr. Michael D. Griffin joined Rocket Lab’s Board of Directors in 2020 with more than 35 years of space industry experience spanning roles in the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the commercial sector. 

Dr. Griffin has previously served as Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, overseeing the establishment of the Space Development Agency (SDA). In this role he was responsible for research, development, and prototyping activities across the DoD enterprise, mandated with ensuring technological superiority for the Department of Defense. He also oversaw the activities of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Missile Defense Agency, the Defense Innovation Unit, the Strategic Capabilities Office, and the DoD Laboratory enterprise. Dr. Griffin also served as the 11th NASA Administrator, a role in which he initiated the first development of commercial cargo delivery service to Earth orbit in the agency’s history. Dr. Griffin also currently serves as Co-President and Co-Founder of LogiQ, Inc., a company providing high-end management, scientific, and technical consulting services.   

Dr. Griffin has also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of In-Q-Tel, CEO of Magellan Systems, and EVP/General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group. He also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schafer Corporation. He has also served as the King-McDonald Eminent Scholar and professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and as the Space Department Head at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.  

Peter founded Rocket Lab in 2006 with the goal of opening access to space. Under Peter's leadership, Rocket Lab has become the leading end-to-end space company delivering advanced rockets, satellites and spacecraft. 

Peter led the development of the Electron rocket, an industry-defining launch vehicle that unlocked frequent, reliable and cost-effective access to orbit for small satellites. Under Peter’s leadership, Rocket Lab pioneered advanced aerospace manufacturing techniques for Electron, developing the world’s first carbon composite orbital launch vehicle and the first 3D printed, electric pump cycle orbital rocket engine. First launched in 2017, Electron is now the second most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket. Peter led further industry disruption with the development of the world’s first private orbital launch site, Launch Complex 1, located in in New Zealand. The move catalyzed the establishment of international treaties and legislation to enable U.S. launches from foreign soil.

Recognizing the need to simplify satellites as well as launch, Peter grew Rocket Lab to encompass space systems. Today, the company produces the Photon family of spacecraft, a portfolio of market and technology leading satellite components, spacecraft engineering and design services, and on-orbit constellation management services. Under Peter’s leadership, Rocket Lab space systems have been selected for missions to the Moon, Mars and Venus.

An award-winning engineer, Peter has been presented with the Meritorious Medal, Cooper Medal, Pickering Medal and Gold Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society for services of an exceptional nature and innovation breakthroughs. He has also been awarded New Zealander of the Year (innovation) and regional EY Entrepreneur of the Year. In recognition of Peter’s outstanding contributions to aerospace, entrepreneurship and technical innovation he was appointed as an adjunct professor in aerospace engineering by the University of Auckland.

As an ardent supporter of innovation and entrepreneurialism, Peter is an active investor and serves on the board of several technology firms including Halter, Foundry Lab and Astrix. He also serves as an adviser to several leading venture capital firms.

Prior to founding Rocket Lab, Peter’s began his career with an apprenticeship as precision engineer before moving into production machinery design, product design and analysis. He later went to a government research institute where he focused on advanced composites structures and materials for high performance applications. While at the government lab Peter led several complex engineering programs to optimize technologies including wind turbines and superconductors. In his own time, Peter began building rockets at an early age, steadily increasing their size and complexity over time. In 2009 he successfully launched Atea-1– the first commercially-developed rocket to reach space from the Southern Hemisphere.

Adam Spice is the Chief Financial Officer at Rocket Lab. Adam has more than 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, facilities, procurement and leadership across more than 50 strategic acquisition and investments transactions representing approximately $7 billion.

As Rocket Lab’s Chief Financial Officer, Adam is focused building out world-case business teams and scalable corporate infrastructure that can be leveraged into new and expanding markets that are capable of supporting billions of dollars a year in revenue in a very short period of time.

Adam joined Rocket Lab in 2018 following seven years at MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL), a leading provider of radio frequency (RF), analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the connected home, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multimarket applications.

In his role as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at MaxLinear, Adam played a key role in growing the business from approximately $70 million in 2010 to one that generated $421 million in revenues in 2017.   Prior to Maxlinear, Adam held a variety of financial and operational executive roles over approximately 10 years at Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: AVGO), and prior to that began his career at Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC).

Adam holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Brigham Young University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.

Shaun O’Donnell is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Rocket Lab globally and manages a large number of cross-functional teams. He has been with the company for more than a decade leading the development of a number of complex space systems.   

Previously, Shaun was the head of the Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) division at Rocket Lab, and had broad responsibility over all electronic and software systems on board Electron. Shaun has been involved with Rocket Lab since 2007, where he was solely responsible for all avionics and software systems, including the Atea 1, Instant Eyes and VLM projects.

Shaun holds an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree from the University of Auckland. 

Lars Hoffman is Rocket Lab’s Senior Vice President of Global Launch Services. In this role, he leads the business development and customer experience strategy for the Electron program. With more than 30 years of experience in national security and aerospace, Lars has deep knowledge of the launch industry and the ever-evolving needs of satellite owners and operators.

Prior to joining Rocket Lab, Lars was the Senior Director of Government Sales at SpaceX, where he was responsible for National Security Space (NSS) strategy and business development.

Lars also led a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, including roles at the Pentagon. He holds advanced engineering degrees from the United States Air Force Academy, the Air Force Institute of Technology and the United States Air Force Test Pilot School. He also earned national security degrees from MIT, Air University and National Defense University and an M.B.A. from UCLA.

Shane Fleming leads the Commercial Launch Services team based at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Huntington Beach, California. Previously, Shane managed the operations at Rocket Lab's Auckland, New Zealand facility, as well as Launch Complex 1. With a decade of experience developing and commercializing innovative and disruptive technologies, Shane is accustomed to leading diverse teams and navigating complex international projects.

Prior to Rocket Lab, Shane spent seven years at biotechnology firm LanzaTech, leading the Global Engineering Operations and managing teams of engineers, scientists, and technicians at five production facilities in four countries across China, Taiwan, Japan, and the US. Shane has a background in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Lachlan Matchett is responsible for all propulsion activities at Rocket Lab. This includes all orbital propulsion systems including the Rutherford sea level and vacuum engines. Lachlan was responsible for the initial design of the Rutherford engine and has managed the development of the engine from concept through flight qualification and production.

Lachlan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. 

Shaun D’Mello is responsible for enabling and delivering Rocket Lab’s global launch capability. As the Vice President of Launch, Shaun directs the end-to-end execution of launch operations, development and operation of launch sites, safety assurance, launch licensing and regulatory compliance programs to ultimately enable safe, frequent and reliable launch.

While at Rocket Lab, Shaun has overseen the site selection, design, development and operations of the world’s first private orbital launch range, Launch Complex 1 in Mahia New Zealand, and more recently Launch Complex 2 in Wallops Island, USA. Shaun has been with the Rocket Lab team since 2014 and has held roles in launch engineering, flight safety and management.

Shaun has a First Class Honors degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Sydney, and is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Prior to joining Rocket Lab, Shaun has worked on the design of light experimental aircraft, and the research, development and testing of composite structures for automotive and aerospace applications.

Richard French leads business development and strategy for Rocket Lab’s space systems division, providing end-to-end mission services and on-orbit operations with the company’s Photon family of small spacecraft and high-end satellite components including propulsion, reaction wheels, star trackers, avionics, solar arrays, and more.

Richard spent over a decade at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he led development of the Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator program and managed technology partnerships with industry in the Office of Space Technology. He also spent two years on detail to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. as a Staff Technologist in the Space Technology Mission Directorate, leading development of the Tipping Point and Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity solicitations. Richard’s earlier career includes service as an engineer on various NASA missions, including being awarded the NASA Honors Early Career Public Achievement Medal for his work as a lead mechanical systems engineer on the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, and helping to land the Curiosity Rover on Mars as a member of the Mars Science Laboratory entry, descent, and landing systems engineering team.

Richard holds a Masters degree in Space Systems Engineering and a Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering, both from the University of Michigan.

Ehson Mosleh leads the engineering and development of Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division and is responsible for architecting and implementing the company’s Photon spacecraft line, a family of customizable spacecraft available in low Earth orbit configurations through to interplanetary exploration models.

Ehson has almost two decades of experience building high-performance small satellites for civil, defense, and commercial customers. Prior to joining Rocket Lab, he was the Chief Scientist at Tyvak Nanosatellite Systems Inc., where he oversaw the architecture, development, and execution of a diverse set of advanced satellite missions. Ehson’s technical areas of expertise are in Systems Engineering, EO/IR Payloads, Flight Software and Autonomy, and tailored Mission Assurance practices for fast-paced programs.

He holds Masters and Bachelors degrees in Computer Science from Montana State University.

Space Systems Chief Engineer