
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
5 Fundamental Ways to employ a Criminal Legal counselor - 2
Ukrainian man arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia - 3
Linda Hamilton, 69, says she doesn't want to 'chase longevity' - 4
Senegal limits foreign trips for officials as the fallout from Iran war deepens - 5
Guinea-Bissau's coup called a 'sham' by West African political figures
Posts falsely claim Malaysian minister to relocate public hospital for temple
Dependable Savvy Locks to Update Your Home Security
Report in relation to renaming Herzog Park set to be withdrawn
From record warming to rusting rivers, 2025 Arctic Report Card shows a region transforming faster than expected
Dick Van Dyke shares his secrets to longevity as he turns 100
As her kidneys fail and time runs short, this activist fights to decriminalize euthanasia in Mexico
Taco Bell debuts its Baja Blast pie, and the reactions may surprise you
Modern surgery began with saws and iron hands – how amputation transformed the body in the Renaissance
More Than 110 New Species Discovered In Deep Waters Off Australia












