
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
The Fragrant Small Tree Birds & Pollinators Love With Stunning Flowers In Summer - 2
Gaza Strip sees flooding after heavy rainfall - 3
Spots to Go Hang Floating - 4
The Longest Underwater Tunnel Connecting Germany and Denmark - 5
'Pluribus' release date: Everything you need to know about the new series from 'Better Call Saul's' co-creator
BravoCon 2025: How to watch, full schedule and lineup, where to stream free and more
Step by step instructions to Contrast Lab Jewels and Regular Ones
UB professor shares his experience on almost becoming an astronaut
Israeli strikes on Beirut, as Hezbollah and Iran attack Israel
NASA's SPHEREx telescope completes its 1st cosmic map of the entire sky and it's stunning!
Factbox-Weight-loss drug developers line up to tap lucrative market as competition heats up
New Gaza militia declares war on Hamas: 'Your dirty shoes are more honorable'
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover could break the record for miles driven on another planet
Figure out What Shift Differentials Mean for Your General Attendant Compensation












