Peter Beck

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In this Aug.16, 2016 photo supplied by Rocket Lab, Peter Beck poses for a portrait in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand has never had a space program but could soon be launching commercial rockets more often than the United States. That’s if the plans of California-based company Rocket Lab work out. Founded by New Zealander Peter Beck, the company was last week given approval by the Federal Aviation Authority to conduct three test launches from a remote peninsula and the first could come as early as Monday. (Rocket Lab via AP)