
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
Israel's Druze use AI to present to UN testimonies of 'sexual terrorism' against Syrian Druze women - 2
Where is Santa right now? NORAD tracks his 2025 Christmas Eve flight. - 3
Mom finds out she has cancer after noticing something was off while breastfeeding - 4
Are Iraqi militias crossing into Iran to support Iran's war effort? - 5
Netanyahu vows to ‘return Negev to Israel,’ pledges settlement growth during visit
3 astronauts settle into their new life in orbit | On the International Space Station this week Dec. 1-5, 2025
Astronomers detect black hole blasting winds at incredible speeds
Unpaid caregiving work can feel small and personal, but that doesn’t take away its ethical value
Gulf countries roll out more autonomous taxis
Vote in favor of your Number one Kind of Shades
Pat Finn, actor from 'The Middle,' dies at 60 after bladder cancer diagnosis
Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay are here: Top songs, albums and artists of 2025
Remarkable Spots for Hot Air Swelling All over The Planet
Fundamental Venture The board Apparatuses for Remote Groups












