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Author: Peter Griffin (Introduction by Sir Peter Beck)
Genres: Business Biography, Technology, Space Exploration, Innovation
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Publisher: HarperCollins New Zealand
Pages: 368 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9781775542632
Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
The Launch of Rocket Lab tells the improbable story of how a small New Zealand start-up transformed into one of the most important space companies in the world. This the launch of rocket lab book review explores Peter Griffin’s detailed account of Rocket Lab’s founding, its visionary leader Sir Peter Beck, and how innovation can thrive far from Silicon Valley.
The book begins with Beck’s childhood fascination with rockets and tracks his persistence in building hardware from scratch in a country without a space industry. It covers the company’s early experiments, the Electron rocket’s development, and how Rocket Lab secured NASA contracts and positioned itself alongside SpaceX in the global launch market. Griffin highlights setbacks, ingenuity, and the high-stakes world of commercial spaceflight.
Griffin’s prose combines investigative journalism with narrative flair. Technical descriptions are made approachable, balancing rocket science with human drama. Beck’s introduction adds authenticity, grounding the book in the voice of its central figure. The pacing makes it equally readable for enthusiasts and general readers.
Strengths: compelling origin story, balance of technical and personal detail, insight into global space industry.
Weaknesses: some technical sections may overwhelm casual readers, limited critical perspective on Rocket Lab’s challenges.
On Goodreads, early readers celebrate its inspirational tone and accessibility. Amazon reviewers note it as a must-read for entrepreneurs, engineers, and fans of space exploration.
The New Zealand Herald calls it “a landmark business biography that cements Rocket Lab’s place in national identity.” Publishers Weekly describes the book as “part space history, part entrepreneurial playbook.” Kirkus Reviews highlights Griffin’s ability to turn complex engineering into human storytelling.
This book is ideal for readers interested in space exploration, entrepreneurship, and disruptive technology. It appeals to fans of biographies that blend science and business strategy. Less suited for those seeking purely technical aerospace manuals.
Peter Griffin is a New Zealand journalist specializing in science, business, and technology. His work has appeared in major publications across the Pacific region. Sir Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, is recognized globally as a pioneering entrepreneur in the commercial space industry.
The Launch of Rocket Lab is a dynamic chronicle of innovation from the edge of the world. Griffin captures both the technical marvel and human determination that propelled Rocket Lab into the global spotlight. Final Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)
For more, see coverage in The New Zealand Herald, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews.
For more innovation stories, read Born to Be Wired, The Secret of Secrets, and track your own reading with our Reading Tracker.
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