
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
EU Commission prepares €90bn Ukraine loan despite Hungary's veto - 2
How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for free this weekend - 3
Flu cases spiking this holiday season, CDC data shows - 4
Qatar LNG Ships U-Turn After Attempt to Pass Through Hormuz - 5
Brazilian cardinal orders a popular Catholic priest to go offline following right-wing attacks
What's The Friendliest City In The United Kingdom?
Former IRGC child executioner tells ‘Post’ how he became devout Christian dissident
Where is Santa right now? NORAD tracks his 2025 Christmas Eve flight.
Canada cancels its 1st moon rover: 'It's hopefully not a lost cause'
Germany unveils rescue plan for struggling chemical sector
Surveys of Thrillers That Re-imagined the Class
Astronomers spot white dwarf star creating a colorful shockwave
The Best 15 Applications for Efficiency and Association
Bayer reports positive results for blood thinner after 2023 setback












