Peter Beck, CEO and CTO of Rocket Lab, discussed the company’s innovative culture, future plans, and his advice for aspiring space entrepreneurs in an interview with Gizmodo. Some key points:

• Rocket Lab fosters innovation by rapidly prototyping and testing ideas, taking bold swings at transformative technologies like 3D-printed rocket engines, and focusing on building aesthetically beautiful products.
• Beck has established Rocket Lab as an end-to-end space company, combining launch capabilities with satellite manufacturing and operation, catering to customers who want turnkey space solutions.
• Critical emerging space technologies include internet from space, direct mobile connectivity, and pharmaceutical manufacturing in space. Rocket Lab is involved in all these and other areas through its diverse offerings.
• The biggest potential space innovation lies in propulsion technology, moving away from conventional chemical rockets to enable more substantial progress.
• 3D printing is crucial for Rocket Lab, enabling rapid design iterations and manufacturing geometries impossible with traditional techniques.
• Beck’s advice to entrepreneurs: Focus on developing technologies that address real market needs and have scalability, rather than niche solutions or “cool” tech without demand.

It’s very technical and process focused but this round-table discussion featuring Myles Keefer, Rocket Lab’s Manager of Additive Manufacturing reinforces a lot of the points made by Beck. The engineering philosophy of the company is unique and, in my opinion, underappreciated. It’s more Apple than SpaceX but it’s also informed by an unrelenting focus on efficiency and practicality.