
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
Ukraine confirms defence and energy ministers at second attempt - 2
Supercharge Your Remote Work Arrangement with These Game-Changing Instruments - 3
6 Well known Nissan Vehicles in the U.S. - 4
Eating ultra-processed foods could raise precancerous polyp risk for women under 50, according to research - 5
Select Your Cherished Fish
Manual for Mountain Objections on the planet
Luigi Mangione‘s lawyers say Bondi’s death penalty decision was tainted by conflict of interest
Roche breast cancer pill cuts risk of disease recurrence by 30% in trial
Executed Iranian nuclear scientist confessed to aiding Israel after torture, threats against mother
Collierville residents with no power as temperatures plunge
King Charles III says he is reducing cancer treatment schedule in 2026
All the ways Marjorie Taylor Greene has shifted her approach lately — and why Trump is 'surprised at her'
Pick Your Top Method for starting the Morning
Step by step instructions to Explore the Close to home Consequence of Cellular breakdown in the lungs












