
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Rocket Lab launched a satellite for a mystery customer on Thursday morning (Nov. 20).
The liftoff, which occurred at 7:43 a.m. EST (1243 GMT) from Rocket Lab's New Zealand site, came as something of a surprise. The company formally announced the impending launch of its workhorse Electron rocket less than five hours ahead of time.
The mission, called "Follow My Speed" was a complete success, Rocket Lab announced via X on Thursday morning.
"Today's 'Follow My Speed' mission marks 18 launches with 100% mission success for 2025 — more than any other year in Electron's history — making our rocket the most frequently flown orbital small launch vehicle in the world," the company said in another Thursday X post.
Fifteen of those 18 launches have been orbital missions. The other three were suborbital flights involving HASTE, a modified version of the 59-foot-tall (18-meter-tall) Electron that allows customers to test hypersonic technologies in the space environment.
We don't know much about "Follow My Speed."
Rocket Lab described the mission in vague terms only, saying that its goal was "to deploy a single satellite for a confidential commercial customer."
Keeping things so close to the vest isn't exactly odd for launch companies, who regularly loft national-security payloads or commercial satellites with sensitive, proprietary tech. Rocket Lab, for example, launched five satellites for a confidential customer just three months ago.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
A definitive Manual for Well known Fragrances - 2
Did we start the fire? A 400,000-year-old hearth sparks new questions about human evolution - 3
How to watch the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for free - 4
Jupiter and the moon take a sunset stroll on March 26. Here's how to see it - 5
Striking American and European television Projects: A Survey
Canada cancels its 1st moon rover: 'It's hopefully not a lost cause'
Over 60 local leaders push Netanyahu to halt haredi draft bill, warn of social rift
Traveling Alone: An Excursion of Self-Disclosure
Vote in favor of your #1 sort of juice
Thousands of genomes reveal the wild wolf genes in most dogs’ DNA
Figure out how to Guarantee Your Dental Embeds Endure forever
Remain Fit: Powerful Wellness and Work-out Schedules for a Better You
Blood pressure drug recalled for possible cross-contamination
Palestinians tell BBC they were sexually abused in Israeli prisons













