
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
I tried a macho, creatine-loaded cereal “for men.” Did I mention I'm a woman? - 2
Blue Origin launches New Glenn rocket on company's first NASA-scale science mission - 3
All the eclipses, supermoons, meteor showers and planets to spot in 2026 - 4
The Force of Care: Living with Goal - 5
The Universe of Impeccable Pearls: A Manual for Valuable Gems
Involved Vehicles for Seniors: Track down the Best Picks for Solace and Unwavering quality
Physicists and philosophers have long struggled to understand the nature of time: Here's why
Will your baby get a hep B vaccine? What RFK panel's ruling means.
Evidence of lost baptismal rite stage uncovered in Byzantine era cathedral near Sea of Galilee
Without evidence, CDC changes messaging on vaccines and autism
15 skywatching events you won't want to miss in 2026
Presenting Nintendo's New Pastel Satisfaction Con Tones for Switch Gamers: 3 Upscale Choices
Bonk.fun’s April Fools Joke Targets Israel, Sparks Debate
US FDA approves Kura-Kyowa's blood cancer therapy












