
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
Big Bear glows with big stars | Space photo of the day for Dec. 31, 2025 - 2
Venice’s newest marvel is a wild, acrobatic dolphin. His refusal to leave puts him in danger - 3
Will Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) be the 'great comet' of 2026? - 4
Porsche May Kill the Electric Boxster Before It Ever Arrives - 5
The Conclusive Manual for Spending plan Travel: Opening Undertakings on a Tight budget
Novo Nordisk slashes prices of popular weight loss and diabetes drugs
Finding the Force of Mentorship: Self-awareness Through Direction
The Universe of Impeccable Pearls: A Manual for Valuable Gems
Astrophotographer captures rare footage of the Hubble Telescope crossing the sun (video)
Merz says army could be involved in mine-clearing from Hormuz
Figure out how to Perceive Warnings while Looking for an Auto Collision Lawyer
Surveys of Thrillers That Re-imagined the Class
Finding Europe's Head Traveler Objections: An Excursion Through Famous Attractions
Astronomer captures 2 meteors slamming into the moon (video)













