
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
When a sperm whale gives birth, the mother gets help from her friends - 2
Finding the Universe of Workmanship: Individual Encounters in Imagination - 3
How C-reactive protein outpaced ‘bad’ cholesterol as leading heart disease risk marker - 4
The Best Games On the planet - 5
Insurance warning signs in doctors’ offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health
10 Work Valuable chances to Assist with supporting Your Advanced degree
Ringleader of suspected human trafficking network arrested in Ethiopia
My Enterprising Excursion: Building a Startup
ACA subsidies latest: Making sense of what's happening with health care after Republicans revolt, forcing a vote on funding extension
JW Marriott Tokyo: an elegant retreat amid whirlwind of the city
Weeks-Long Australian LNG Outage Will Further Tighten Supply
Senegal president signs tough new anti-LGBT law doubling jail terms
Vote in favor of Your Number one BWM Vehicles
Sustaining Public activity and Connections: Key Methodologies













