
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
Merz: 80% of Syrians in Germany should return in three years - 2
Astronomers detect rare 'free floating' exoplanet 10,000 light-years from Earth - 3
From Lounge chair to Money: Online Positions That Will Change Your Profession - 4
Haunting Giant Squid Surfaces in Japan and Devours Its Prey (Video) - 5
Exhaustive Experiences into Prudent Senior Living in the UK
Six Flags Opens the Tallest, Fastest and Longest Roller Coaster in the World
The Best Cell phone Brands for Tech Lovers
Find the Native Culinary Customs: Local Flavors
Plans for ‘stop anywhere’ night buses recommended by government for women’s safety
Instructions to Improve Your Mental Exploration with Cutting edge Measurements
Exclusive-Drugmakers raise US prices on 350 medicines despite pressure from Trump
From Certificate to Dollars: College Majors with Extraordinary Monetary Prizes
Figure out How to Put resources into Lab Precious stones
Top Fascinating Organic products: Which One Might You Want to Attempt?













