Rudi Beichel was the lead visionary and force behind the co-founders of Clean Energy Systems, Inc. Respected and recognized worldwide as a rocket pioneer, Rudi was credited with many technological breakthroughs throughout his lifetime.

Rudi was born August 19, 1913, in Rot-Heidelberg, Germany. He earned a Masters Degree in mechanical engineering from Karlsruhe State University, Germany. In 1937, Rudi was employed by Deutsche Hydriewerke, Dessau, Germany, where he gained his system engineering knowledge of distillation, hydrogen gas generation, and synthetic fuels. Because of the war, Rudi was drafted into the German army in 1942 and found himself on the Russian front. He was soon reassigned to Peenemunde to participate in pioneering rocket engine research led by Dr. Werner von Braun. Rudi became known for his problem solving persistence as he engaged in the development of the German V-2 rocket. Part of the von Braun Rocket Team, Rudi immigrated to America in 1945 as part of "Operation Paper Clip" to work on the U.S. space program.

From 1945 through 1956, Rudi served the nation by developing new concepts in rocket propulsion and research at White Sands, New Mexico; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

Starting in 1956, Rudi began a forty-three year relationship with Aerojet General Corporation in Sacramento, California. Whether as Special Projects Director, Senior Scientist, or Senior Consultant, Rudi made significant contributions to emerging technologies in rocket propulsion in the United States. He was recognized for his work in the successful development of the Titan I and Titan II rocket engines, the Titan III system, and the Apollo Service Propulsion systems. Rudi pioneered the High Chamber Pressure, Staged Combustion Cycle, known as the "Beichel Cycle," which remains the core technology of NASA's Space Shuttle main engines. He was also noted for his work on the dual-expander and dual-fuel engine cycles. Rudi played a key role in the development of the booster for America's first manned space flight that carried astronaut Alan Shepard, Jr. into space in 1961.

Rudi was presented the prestigious Wyld (propulsion) Award by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 1984, and was elected to the elite International Academy for Astronautics (IAA). He was appointed an honorary member of the Japanese Rocket Society, a distinction only a handful of non-Japanese have ever enjoyed. Rudi authored and co-authored forty-two technical papers and obtained numerous patents. Rudi formally retired from Aerojet in 1978. However, he continued to serve as a consultant to Aerojet, the U.S. Air Force, and NASA, and remained active with the AIAA and IAA until his death.

During the last twenty years of his life, Rudi worked on the problem of generating commercial electrical power without pollution. His personal commitment to solving the problem of producing energy with zero emissions during the latter stages of his intellectual and professional life is but one more reason why Rudi’s life was lived inexorably according to his own motto:

Rudi assembled a team of professionals ranging from rocket scientists to financial experts to accomplish his goal of producing energy with zero emissions. The group he formed (CES founders) included Roger Anderson, Stephen E Doyle, Harry Mueggenburg, Jack Richey, Fred Schwarz, James P Taylor, Fermin Viteri, and Richard Wertz. While working on his "power without pollution" project, Rudi died at his desk of heart failure on October 25, 1999. He was eighty-six. Rudi died as he had lived, committed personally and professionally to the advancement of the welfare of mankind and the sociology of knowledge.