
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
Figure out how to Arrange a Fair Settlement with the Assistance of a Fender bender Legal counselor - 2
There are thousands of aligned holes in Peru. Archaeologists now think they know who made them - 3
Winona Ryder didn't take the 'Stranger Things' plot lightly. How 'otherworldly' grief and a kidnapping in her hometown informed her character. - 4
The most effective method to Recognize an Excellent Lab Precious stone - 5
Opening Innovativeness: Moving Thoughts and Tasks
Barry Manilow to have surgery for early-stage lung cancer and postpones January concerts
Hundreds show fascist salute at rally in Rome in annual ritual
Hot peppers sent him to the ER. Two years later, a ‘ghost bill’ arrived.
Share your pick for the miniature headphones that you generally suggest!
As nations push for more ambition at climate talks, chairman says they may get it
An eye for an eye: People agree about the values of body parts across cultures and eras
Astronomers now say the moon is eating up molecules from Earth’s atmosphere
Winter storm warnings issued across Northeast as up to 9 inches of snow forecast; deadly atmospheric river in California snarls travel
From Overpowered to Coordinated: Individual Accounts of Cleaning up













