
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
From a new flagship space telescope to lunar exploration, global cooperation – and competition – will make 2026 an exciting year for space - 2
The Response Uncovered: Disentangling the Secrets of the Universe - 3
How C-reactive protein outpaced ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker - 4
From Representative to Business visionary: Private issue Victories - 5
The Best Web-based Courses for Ability Advancement
The best movies to watch this holiday season: Stream 'A Christmas Story Christmas,' revisit 'The Night Before' and discover 'The Baltimorons'
Figure out How to Store Your Gold Ventures: A Thorough Aide safely
Senior's Manual for Obtaining a Hyundai Ioniq EV: Tips
The most effective method to Safeguard Your Teeth from Acidic Food varieties and Beverages
Andrew McCarthy's awe-inspiring image of a skydiver in front of the sun
The Tradition of Stone: A Gander at Notable Structures Through the Ages
New movies to watch this weekend: See 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' in theaters, rent 'Bugonia,' stream 'Caught Stealing' on Netflix
37 Things Just Individuals Experiencing childhood during the 80s Will Comprehend
Step by step instructions to Involve Compact disc Rates for Magnanimous Giving













