SpaceX rival Rocket Lab CEO says he flies a helicopter to relax: 'When I'm flying, I have to shut...'

Stressing on why he needs to shut off thinking about work, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck described his career as a constant 'sprint'. (Image credit: AFP)

Peter Beck, the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, SpaceX's competitor, has offered a rare glimpse into his intense daily routine and unusual relaxation methods, revealing that he flies a helicopter to de-stress. Speaking to Business Insider, the 49-year-old, who founded Rocket Lab in 2006 after skipping college, classified himself as an "active relaxer," meaning he requires an activity to de-stress.

"My favorite way to active relax is to fly a helicopter," he told the publication. "When I'm flying, I have to shut out everything else, or I risk crashing. I try to fly at least one hour each week, usually on a Sunday or a Monday. Occasionally, I'll relax by flying a jet or driving a race car — really anything where there's no possibility of thinking about work."

Stressing on why he needs to shut off thinking about work, Beck described his career as a constant "sprint." His day begins remarkably early, waking between 4.30 and 5 am due to being a "terrible sleeper." He immediately dives into emails, responding to critical overnight developments in the US, before showering by 6 am and embarking on a 45-minute commute filled with phone calls.

Insight into Peter Beck's workplace and family life

At the office, Beck maintains a minimalist desk, adorned only with his laptop and "bits of old rocket from old launches" — reminders of both triumphs and setbacks. He organises his tasks using Post-it notes, prioritising the most urgent problems on the left. A self-proclaimed lover of technical questions, he actively avoids most meetings, preferring direct conversations at a colleague's desk. Despite his demanding schedule, he mandates a "sweet" at the end of every lunch from the company café, often opting for cake or ice cream.

Evenings are dedicated to family dinner with his wife and two teenage children, a "most enjoyable part" of his day filled with banter. After dinner, it's back to "deeper thinking" for major decisions before an early bedtime, typically between 10 or 11 pm.