
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
Bitcoin momentum builds in Abu Dhabi as global interest surges - 2
Phonetic Associations: A Survey of \Interfacing Worldwide People group\ Language Trade Application - 3
If evolution is real, then why isn’t it happening now? An anthropologist explains that humans actually are still evolving - 4
Vote in favor of your Number one natural product - 5
Most normal matter in the universe isn't found in planets, stars or galaxies – an astronomer explains where it's distributed
Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis join Iran in strike on Israel
Sought-After Extravagance Ocean side Objections for a Lovely Escape
Vietnam rethinks its flood strategy as climate change drives storms and devastation
Why most Jewish Israelis back the death penalty for terrorists
L.A.'s most famous midcentury home, the Stahl House, is on the market for the 1st time, at $11K per square foot: See inside
Peruvian ex-President Martin Vizcarra sentenced to 14 years in prison
The most effective method to Help a Friend or family member Determined to have Cellular breakdown in the lungs
'Stranger Things' Season 5: What's going on with Will Byers? That shocking Volume 1 plot twist, explained.
Immortal Style: Closet Staples for Each Age













