
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
Three arrested in Paris after attempted bomb attack outside Bank of America - 2
Top 15 Style Creators Changing the Business - 3
2 of Earth's rarest lightning phenomena captured simultaneously in once-in-a-lifetime photo - 4
Favored Vehicle for Seniors: Make Your Determination - 5
Al-Sharaa denies he called for 80% of Syrians to return from Germany
Solar storms can trigger auroras on Earth. This star’s explosion could destroy a planet’s atmosphere
US FDA declines to approve Corcept's drug for rare hormonal disorder
New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash: How to watch the star-studded country music special live
Where America’s CO2 emissions come from – what you need to know, in charts
Journey Travel Objections for Your Next Experience
Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi backs protests: Join your fellow citizens in the streets
A milestone for Artemis II: Astronauts enter the 'lunar sphere of influence'
5 Home EV Chargers for Proficient and Solid Charging
Investigating the Financial History of the World: A Succinct Outline













