
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
Step by step instructions to Contrast Lab Jewels and Regular Ones - 2
A Manual for Pick Dependable Vehicle Rental Administrations For 2024 - 3
6 Trail blazing Bicycles for Rough terrain Undertakings - 4
This St Nick Truly Can Advise How To Drink And Hack Your Headache - 5
Hamas set to elect new terror leader with Hayya, Mashaal in pole position
Robert Irwin on winning 'Dancing With the Stars' 10 years after sister Bindi: 'This was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more'
Huge rotating structure of galaxies and dark matter is detected
New research reveals urban raccoons across the US show early signs of domestication
Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s inclusion
Vote in favor of Your #1 4K television: Lucidity and Drenching Matter
NASA will bring space station crew home early after medical issue
Oldest sequenced RNA reveals details about a mammoth’s final moments 40,000 years
Figure out How to Get the Most Familiar Drive for Seniors in SUVs
What we know about the Brown University shooting suspect who was found dead, and how police linked him to the MIT killing












