
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
How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for free in 2025 - 2
Brazil expands pesticide packaging reverse logistics - 3
Bayer sues COVID vaccine makers over mRNA technology - 4
Vinicultural Investigation: A Survey of \Enjoying Fine Vintages\ Wine sampling - 5
'Dancing With the Stars' Season 34 finale: Who might win the mirror ball trophy? Where do the remaining contestants rank?
Jill Hennessy was a '90s TV staple. Now she's in her fearless era.
Rediscovering Euphoria: Individual Accounts of Conquering Despondency
Full Supreme Court to hear challenge to Judicial Selection Committee law
Meet ‘NASA Mike,’ who’s done 105,000 handstands around the world
How to disinfect if the stomach bug hits your home
IDF carried out mission to locate former hostage Avera Mengistu a day before Oct. 7
Pulsars to the extreme: Spinning dead stars found blasting radio signals from the 'edge of their magnetic reach'
Sixteen Kenyans missing in Russia after army recruitment
$30K Disability Scam Implodes After Surf Trip in Mexico













