Innovative Rocket Technologies, the launch startup known as iRocket, plans to enter the U.K. market with a new member of its board of directors. Paul Stein, former chief technology officer of Rolls-Royce, has joined the company’s board of directors.

Stein is the former director general for Science and Technology of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), and is a current member of the U.K. Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology. As a member of the iRocket board he will help guide the company in the development of its Shockwave launch vehicle and help the country enter the U.K. market.

As CTO of Rolls-Royce, Stein had oversight of technology strategy and investment for Rolls-Royce technologies including defense and civil aerospace propulsion, nuclear energy, and power generation.

iRocket is based in New York and developing the Shockwave launch vehicle, a liquid rocket engine designed so that all stages can be recovered and reused. The company has a  cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Laboratory for access to Test Site 1-56, the high thrust research facility at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

“iRocket’s innovative engine and launch technologies are set to transform the cost of access to space for both civilian and defense customers,” said Paul Stein. “I’m quite selective about the companies that I advise and iRocket captured my attention because of the many new defense capabilities their technologies will enable at a time when it is very important for the free world to boost its advantage.”

Source: Via Satellite