
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
Kendall Jenner addresses long-standing rumor about her sexuality - 2
Nigeria’s return to Windsor castle signals new era in UK economic partnership - 3
From record warming to rusting rivers, 2025 Arctic Report Card shows a region transforming faster than expected - 4
Yemen’s Aden airport shut by STC-backed transport minister, Saudi source says - 5
RFK Jr.'s diet guidelines emphasize red meat, full-fat dairy. How healthy are they?
Launch pad damaged as Russian rocket blasts off for space station, agency says
Manual for Tracking down the Mysterious Cascades in China
Cathay Pacific raises fuel surcharge on all flights by 34%
Why this Iranian island looks like Mars after it rains
Chief of Staff Zamir warns IDF will collapse due to lack of manpower, raises 'ten red flags'
Hitting the brakes: Hubble Space Telescope watches doomed comet reverse its spin
A Couple of Reasonable Guitars for 2024
These Are the Journalists Israel Has Killed Since the Start of the Iran War
Director of Swiss hospital describes the rush to treat the injured from Alpine resort bar fire












