
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
Upgrading the Healthy benefit of Your Local Vegetables - 2
If someone's always late, is it time blindness, or are they just being rude? - 3
Jury says Johnson & Johnson owes $40 million to 2 cancer patients who used talcum powders - 4
‘I love this work, but it’s killing me’: The unique toll of being a spiritual leader today - 5
Six Flags Opens the Tallest, Fastest and Longest Roller Coaster in the World
Miley Cyrus flashes a diamond ring on the red carpet, sparking engagement rumors with Maxx Morando: A timeline of their four-year relationship
Sexual violence is being used as a weapon in Sudan's war, doctors group says
A quick recap of 'Stranger Things' Seasons 1-4, plus key episodes to rewatch before Volume 1 of the final season drops
The Best Cell phone Brands for Tech Lovers
Signature Scents: A Manual for Outstanding Fragrances
Thyssenkrupp to suspend electrical steel production at French site
A definitive Manual for 2024's Most In vogue Wedding Dresses
Looking for under-the-radar adventures? Try Norway's Vesterålen
4 well known subjects in school











