Rob Meyerson

Tacoma, Washington, United States Contact Info
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Aerospace executive known for building a business from start-up to leading commercial…

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Experience & Education

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Volunteer Experience

  • University of Michigan College of Engineering Graphic

    Member, Leadership Advisory Board

    University of Michigan College of Engineering

    - Present 7 years

    Education

  • The Museum of Flight Graphic

    Member, Board of Trustees

    The Museum of Flight

    - Present 12 years

    Arts and Culture

  • Aurelia Institute Graphic

    Member, Board of Directors

    Aurelia Institute

    - Present 3 years

    Science and Technology

    As a Member of the Aurelia Institute Board of Directors, I help with strategy, culture, execution, customer development, and fundraising, among other things.

  • Creative Destruction Lab Graphic

    Mentor

    Creative Destruction Lab

    - Present 1 year 11 months

    Founding mentor in the Manufacturing stream at CDL-Seattle.

    This program admits an annual cohort of pre-Seed and pre-Series A startups. The program brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists with expertise in building scalable companies in a variety of fields related to manufacturing innovation. CDL startups work with these mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, build networks, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of…

    Founding mentor in the Manufacturing stream at CDL-Seattle.

    This program admits an annual cohort of pre-Seed and pre-Series A startups. The program brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists with expertise in building scalable companies in a variety of fields related to manufacturing innovation. CDL startups work with these mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, build networks, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research.

  • Brooke Owens Fellowship Graphic

    Mentor

    Brooke Owens Fellowship

    - Present 5 years

    Serving as a mentor in this outstanding program designed to serve both as an inspiration and as a career boost to capable young women and other gender minorities who aspire to explore our sky and stars, to shake up the aerospace industry, and to help their fellow people here on planet Earth. The program matches up to forty students per year with purpose-driven, paid internships at leading aerospace companies and organizations and with senior and executive level mentors.

  • Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program Graphic

    Mentor

    Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program

    - Present 4 years

    Serving as a mentor in this amazing program that connects exceptional current college juniors, seniors, and graduate students with paid, summer internships in the exciting field of commercial spaceflight, as well as with notable aerospace leaders for mentorship. The summer culminates in a memorable, two-day networking summit.

    Upon completing the summer internship, the Fellows remain among an elite group of alumni who have the opportunity to continue to network with this program, their…

    Serving as a mentor in this amazing program that connects exceptional current college juniors, seniors, and graduate students with paid, summer internships in the exciting field of commercial spaceflight, as well as with notable aerospace leaders for mentorship. The summer culminates in a memorable, two-day networking summit.

    Upon completing the summer internship, the Fellows remain among an elite group of alumni who have the opportunity to continue to network with this program, their Fellow peers, assigned mentors, and future Fellows, on the path to becoming future space icons.

  • University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) Graphic

    Mentor - Entrepreneurial Leadership Program

    University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE)

    - Present 10 months

    Education

    The Entrepreneurial Leadership Program provides deep training and mentorship for a select cohort of students to develop the functional, managerial, and leadership skills that differentiate the good from the great entrepreneurs. It equips some of the University of Michigan’s most driven minds with a rigorous experiential curriculum to lead them onto an entrepreneurial path during and after their college career. Students from all schools/colleges, academic programs, and years are eligible for the…

    The Entrepreneurial Leadership Program provides deep training and mentorship for a select cohort of students to develop the functional, managerial, and leadership skills that differentiate the good from the great entrepreneurs. It equips some of the University of Michigan’s most driven minds with a rigorous experiential curriculum to lead them onto an entrepreneurial path during and after their college career. Students from all schools/colleges, academic programs, and years are eligible for the program.

  • AIAA Graphic

    ASCEND Guiding Coalition Member

    AIAA

    - Present 2 years 7 months

    I serve on the Guiding Coalition for ASCEND and support the team by attracting adjacent industries to the event in the future, as speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. I am committed to growing the space economy and believe that we can only get there with the participation of key adjacent industries in areas like infrastructure and construction, technology, hospitality, entertainment, pharmaceuticals, and mining.

  • Mentor

    Techstars Space Accelerator

    - 2 years

    Serving as a mentor in this accelerator program focused on the next generation of commercial space technology companies and related frontier technologies. Sponsored by The Aerospace Corporation, Maxar, U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, JPL, IAI North America and SAIC.

  • University of Washington Graphic

    Member, Visiting Committee, Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics

    University of Washington

    - 6 years

    Education

  • Interplanetary Initiative at Arizona State University Graphic

    Member Of The Board Of Advisors

    Interplanetary Initiative at Arizona State University

    - 3 years

    Interplanetary Initiative is a leading space center, creating private-public partnerships and driving our positive human space future for exploration by finding the key needs and filling them with interdisciplinary teams. The advisory board was curated to include distinguished cross-sector thought leaders whose collective experience will shape and guide the strategies for advancing Interplanetary Initiative’s space market priorities.

  • Mentor and Coach

    C5 Accelerate

    - less than a year

    Working with leading cyber, space, AI, and cloud technology companies in a global cohort focused on technology and urban resiliency, led a mentorship session and engagement on how to build a startup from the ground up as well as offering tailored mentorship to one team of startup founders on their product.

  • The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Graphic

    Member - Space Technology Industry-Government-University Roundtable (STIGUR)

    The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

    - 2 years

    Science and Technology

    The STIGUR convenes senior executives from industry, universities, NASA, and other government agencies to define and explore critical issues related to NASA’s space technology research agenda that are of shared interest; to frame systems-level research issues; and to explore options for public-private partnerships.

Publications

  • Manifest Space with Morgan Brennan

    CNBC

    Interlune is emerging from stealth, closing an $18 million seed funding round, led by Reddit co-founder Alex Ohanian’s firm 776. Founded by two former Blue Origin executives, the startup aims to harvest natural resources from space and sell to commercial and government customers. CEO Rob Meyerson joins Morgan Brennan to lay out the company’s strategy and building out the in-space industry.

    See publication
  • Are We There Yet? - The commercial space world is over the moon about lunar exploration

    National Public Radio - WMFE

    As NASA sets its sights on the lunar surface with its Artemis mission, the commercial space world is eagerly awaiting a new lunar boom. Rob Meyerson, former president and senior executive at Blue Origin, explained how and why commercial companies are joining in on the excitement for a new chapter in lunar exploration.

    See publication
  • Manifest Space with Morgan Brennan

    CNBC

    The International Space Station’s calendar is loaded with human spaceflights this year— but with Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission delayed, a traffic jam may be underway. Morgan speaks with Axiom board member and former Blue Origin president, Delalune Space CEO Rob Meyerson to discuss Ax-2, the future of manufacturing and the lunar economy.

    See publication
  • The Path Forward: The Private Sector in Space with Rob Meyerson

    The Washington Post

    After the first all-private mission to the International Space Station, four Axiom Space astronauts are due to splash down on Tuesday. Join Washington Post Live as Rob Meyerson, the CEO of Delalune Space and an investor in Axiom, talks with Post space reporter Christian Davenport about the role of the private sector in space exploration and infrastructure.

    Other authors
    See publication
  • Will Private Capital Fund Off-World Infrastructure?

    Via Satellite On-Orbit Podcast

    On this episode of On Orbit, Rob Meyerson explains how private investors define “space infrastructure” both as physical constructs and investment opportunities. Meyerson was one of the first employees of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launch company, serving as its president until 2018. Since leaving the launch industry, he has built a broad space sector investment portfolio. He also serves as the executive producer of ASCEND, a new platform created by the American Institute of Aeronautics and…

    On this episode of On Orbit, Rob Meyerson explains how private investors define “space infrastructure” both as physical constructs and investment opportunities. Meyerson was one of the first employees of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launch company, serving as its president until 2018. Since leaving the launch industry, he has built a broad space sector investment portfolio. He also serves as the executive producer of ASCEND, a new platform created by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) to promote space technology development and infrastructure investment.

    Meyerson’s roots in the launch sector give him unique insight into how investors view commercial space as a financial opportunity. In this interview, he talks about his early days at Blue Origin, when it was more or less functioning as a commercial space think tank, and how his team created predictions for the long-term future of space.

    He also outlines the biggest opportunities for private investors in space, but also what worries financiers about the future of private space. He stresses the importance of executives and entrepreneurs creating realistic timelines for the development of their commercial space systems, and how the recent wave of SPACs combined with COVID skewed those timelines. Meyerson also answers questions about whether or not investors will carry the weight in building infrastructure beyond launch services, a product people can see and understand.

    See publication
  • Blue Origin and the 2021 Space Landscape

    ACQ2 (Acquired) Podcast

    We’re excited to have a longtime friend of the Acquired family on the LP Show, Rob Meyerson. Rob was the President of Blue Origin for 15 years, and today is an investor and advisor to space industry startups. Ben recorded this interview live at the fantastic aerospace industry conference, ASCEND, where Rob is the Executive Producer.

    In this interview we cover:

    - How Blue Origin started, and what it was like in the early days (spoiler: they weren’t yet building rockets!)
    - Rob’s…

    We’re excited to have a longtime friend of the Acquired family on the LP Show, Rob Meyerson. Rob was the President of Blue Origin for 15 years, and today is an investor and advisor to space industry startups. Ben recorded this interview live at the fantastic aerospace industry conference, ASCEND, where Rob is the Executive Producer.

    In this interview we cover:

    - How Blue Origin started, and what it was like in the early days (spoiler: they weren’t yet building rockets!)
    - Rob’s experience working directly for Jeff Bezos
    - What’s changed about SpaceX since May of 2020, when we did our Acquired episode on the company
    - Rob’s theses about what sectors of commercial space are poised for growth in the next few years

    See publication
  • An Evening with Rob Meyerson and Adam Steltzner

    Jasper Dark Sky Festival

    This was a very cool speaking event in the beautiful town of Jasper, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies.

    To Mars … and Beyond?
    What does the future of humanity and the space program have in common? Well for a few billionaire visionaries an awful lot. Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO and owner of Blue Origin, both believe that the future of humanity lies off of this planet.

    Can we colonize the Moon or Mars, and what will we learn from the lasted Mars Rover…

    This was a very cool speaking event in the beautiful town of Jasper, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies.

    To Mars … and Beyond?
    What does the future of humanity and the space program have in common? Well for a few billionaire visionaries an awful lot. Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO and owner of Blue Origin, both believe that the future of humanity lies off of this planet.

    Can we colonize the Moon or Mars, and what will we learn from the lasted Mars Rover Perseverance mission? Can we travel to other planets circling other stars and find another home there? Are our efforts to leave earth ultimately constrained by the laws of physics? Can we, as a species, ever escape our worst impulses, or are we doomed to always repeat the mistakes we have made here on Earth? Do our attempts to explore make us better stewards of our home planet and what does the future hold for space exploration?

    Join Rob Meyerson – CEO of Delalune Space, thought-leader and former President of Blue Origin – and Adam Steltzner, Spacecraft designer, author, innovator, and Chief Engineer of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Mission for a discussion of these big questions … and more.

    See publication
  • An Evening with Rob Meyerson

    Space Entrepreneurs

    I gave the keynote address to this Seattle area group of Space Entrepreneurs, focusing on the space economy, leadership, and growing a company from scratch.

    Puget Sound Business Journal covered the event here:
    https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/09/01/technologies-enable-space-economy.html

    See publication
  • Keynote on Career Development

    Space Generation Advisory Council Fusion Forum

    Gave a keynote on career development to this select group of industry professionals.

    Space Generation Fusion Forum (SGFF) has been designed to provide a comprehensive and diverse programme that brings to the forefront pertinent topics across the current global space industry. We encourage thoughtful conversations, lively debates, creative exchange of ideas, and, most importantly, connection with young space professionals from around the world.

    See publication
  • The Future of Space with Rob Meyerson

    Just Raised Podcast

    Joined Joe Sweeney of Silicon Valley Bank on this regular podcast about startups and fundraising.

    Rob Meyerson was recruited by Jeff Bezos to run Blue Origin in 2003. He built the New Shepard, the rocket that took Jeff and three civilians to space last summer, and today he's a VC investing in space startups.

    On this bonus episode, Joe talks to Rob about what the next 10 to 50 years will look like in space. Startups building transportation networks to the moon, lunar colonies and…

    Joined Joe Sweeney of Silicon Valley Bank on this regular podcast about startups and fundraising.

    Rob Meyerson was recruited by Jeff Bezos to run Blue Origin in 2003. He built the New Shepard, the rocket that took Jeff and three civilians to space last summer, and today he's a VC investing in space startups.

    On this bonus episode, Joe talks to Rob about what the next 10 to 50 years will look like in space. Startups building transportation networks to the moon, lunar colonies and mining, 3D printing, and private space stations.

    See publication
  • Swarm Chats: Rob Meyerson, Former President of Blue Origin

    Swarm Technologies

    I spoke with Sara Spangelo, founder and CEO of Swarm Technologies, about the importance of a smooth supply chain, the future of 3D printing in space, and what companies like Swarm will mean to the future of the IoT market.

    See publication
  • SEDScast Podcast

    Students for the Exploration and Development of Space

    SEDScast is a student-run podcast about space! We talk with industry professionals and student leaders about a variety of space topics. The podcast is produced by Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS).

    See publication
  • Growing the Space Economy

    Aerospace Manufacturing and Design

    Cover story in March 2020 issue of Aerospace Manufacturing and Design. Focus on how NASA’s efforts to commercialize space exploration are encouraging businesses to invest in new technologies and capabilities.

    See publication
  • What we're going to need to live and work in space

    Politico

    Interview with Bryan Bender of Politico.

    See publication
  • Space Talk

    Jasper Dark Sky Festival

    This was a cool event held annually in Jasper, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies.

    I spoke in a "talk show" format moderated by Alan Nursall and including Dr. Shawna Pandya and Dr. Robert Thirsk.

    See publication
  • Launch Pad Podcast

    Wharton Business School

    Business leadership podcast hosted by Rob Coneybeer, a founder and managing director at Shasta Ventures, a Sand Hill Road based venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies.

    See publication
  • Keynote - Amazon Web Services Public Sector Summit - Earth and Space Day

    Amazon Web Services

    No video is available of this event. Media coverage at https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-plans-to-start-selling-suborbital-spaceflight-tickets-next-year/

    See publication
  • Hearing on Reopening the American Frontier

    Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness

    Testimony of Robert Meyerson, president of Blue Origin.

    See publication
  • Embry-Riddle Commencement Address

    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

    Mr. Rob Meyerson (President, Blue Origin) addresses the graduates at the Fall 2016 Commencement of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach.

    See publication
  • Blue Origin: New Shepard and Beyond

    International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight (ISPCS)

  • Assuring National Security Space: Investing in American Industry to end reliance on Russian Rocket Engines

    House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Strategic Forces Subcommittee

    Testimony of Robert Meyerson, president of Blue Origin

    See publication

Projects

  • New Shepard

    -

    New Shepard, the world's first fully reusable launch vehicle, was developed by a small team of about 200 people at Blue Origin. The vehicle was developed incrementally, with a mono-propellant demonstrator vehicle (PM1/Goddard) flown in 2006, a bi-propellant demonstrator vehicle (PM2/Houbolt) flown in 2011 and the New Shepard vehicle first flown in April 2015.

    In developing New Shepard, Blue Origin achieved a number of firsts as a company, including:

    - First company to launch a…

    New Shepard, the world's first fully reusable launch vehicle, was developed by a small team of about 200 people at Blue Origin. The vehicle was developed incrementally, with a mono-propellant demonstrator vehicle (PM1/Goddard) flown in 2006, a bi-propellant demonstrator vehicle (PM2/Houbolt) flown in 2011 and the New Shepard vehicle first flown in April 2015.

    In developing New Shepard, Blue Origin achieved a number of firsts as a company, including:

    - First company to launch a rocket booster stage (New Shepard Propulsion Module) into space and then return it to earth and propulsively land it vertically.
    - The BE-3 rocket engine is the first tap-off cycle rocket engine to be developed and flown, and the first hydrogen fueled rocket engine developed and flown in the U.S. since the RS-68 in 2001.
    - The New Shepard escape system was the first "pusher" escape system to be developed and demonstrated (Pad Escape test in 2012, in-flight escape test in 2016, MECO escape test in 2018).
    - New Shepard was reused four times during 2016, making it the world’s first fully reusable launch system.
    - The West Texas Launch Site is the world's first privately owned and operated space launch facility.

    Other creators

Honors & Awards

  • AIAA Fellow

    American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

    Member since 1988. Elected as Associate Fellow in 2000. Elected as Fellow in 2018.

    "Fellows are persons of distinction in aeronautics or astronautics who have made notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology thereof. A special Fellow Grade Committee reviews Associate Fellow nominees from the membership and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, which makes the final selections. One Fellow for every 1000 voting members is elected each year."

  • American Astronautical Society Space Flight Award - https://astronautical.org/awards/space-flight/

    American Astronautical Society

    Individual award. From the nomination by Jeff Bezos:

    "From its inception in 2003, Rob Meyerson has guided the evolution of Blue Origin from a concept to a company with operations in 4 states. He ably led the development of 4 launch vehicles, 1 human capsule, and 4 new rocket engines. Under his leadership, Blue Origin has achieved several historical space launch milestones and gained recognition as a provider of future propulsion systems for National Security payloads."

    "Since he…

    Individual award. From the nomination by Jeff Bezos:

    "From its inception in 2003, Rob Meyerson has guided the evolution of Blue Origin from a concept to a company with operations in 4 states. He ably led the development of 4 launch vehicles, 1 human capsule, and 4 new rocket engines. Under his leadership, Blue Origin has achieved several historical space launch milestones and gained recognition as a provider of future propulsion systems for National Security payloads."

    "Since he joined Blue Origin in 2003, Rob has guided advanced technology development, business evolution, manufacturing, and operations for the company. He has grown the organization from a 10 person research group to an 800-person, multi-site enterprise that is developing launch systems and technologies to enable a future where millions of people are living and working in space. He led the teams that designed and built Blue Origin’s New Shepard system, which in 2015 became the first vehicle to ascend above the Karman line and successfully return to Earth for a rocket-powered vertical landing. Presently, Rob is leading the development of space launch vehicles and infrastructure to dramatically lower the cost and increase the safety of orbital flight. These accomplishments are anchored by a world class rocket propulsion team that has been assembled by Rob."

    "Rob’s career history in aerospace demonstrates a lifelong passion and remarkable record of pushing the boundaries of space technology. From hands-on engineering to technical and organizational leadership, and with the highest integrity to mission, he has been instrumental in the incredible space launch technology advancement and transition to commercial enterprise that mark this decade in history."

    This award is given annually to the person whose "outstanding efforts and achievements have contributed most significantly to the advancement of space flight and space exploration. The Space Flight Award is the highest award bestowed by the AAS."

  • Aviation Week Space Laureate Award - New Shepard Team

    Aviation Week

    Awarded to the New Shepard team for pioneering accomplishments in the development of reusable launch vehicles.

  • Robert J. Collier Trophy - New Shepard Team

    National Aeronautic Association

    I led the New Shepard development, which was awarded the Robert J. Collier Trophy for being the first to demonstrate reusability of a rocket that had been flown to space and then landed vertically. The trophy is awarded annually "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year." The list…

    I led the New Shepard development, which was awarded the Robert J. Collier Trophy for being the first to demonstrate reusability of a rocket that had been flown to space and then landed vertically. The trophy is awarded annually "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year." The list of Collier winners represents a timeline of aviation, as many of the awardees mark major events in the history of flight.

  • University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Alumni Merit Award

    University of Michigan College of Engineering

    Personal award. Department of Aerospace Engineering.

  • Silver Snoopy Award

    NASA Johnson Space Center

    Presented by Astronaut Kathryn Thornton on February 29. 1996. "The Silver Snoopy best symbolizes the intent and spirit of Space Flight Awareness. An astronaut always presents the Silver Snoopy because it is the astronauts' own award for outstanding performance, contributing to flight safety and mission success. Fewer than 1 percent of the aerospace program workforce receive it annually,"

  • STS-53 Spaceflight Awareness Honoree

    NASA Johnson Space Center

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