
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
Russia accidentally destroys its only way of sending astronauts to space - 2
Israel says soldiers wounded in Gaza fighting amid fragile truce - 3
6 Objections for an Ocean side Wedding - 4
New research reveals urban raccoons across the US show early signs of domestication - 5
Nestlé recalls infant formula in 49 countries. See list.
Ferrari Cavalcade Suspended After High-Speed Crash in Argentina Involving a Purosangue
The Most Enrapturing Authentic Milestones to Visit
The many ways that baking is winter therapy. With a delicious ending
Flu cases are rising with a strain that makes older people sicker
Make your choice for the bird that catches your heart!
Governors Ball 2026: Lorde, A$AP Rocky and Stray Kids set to headline
Schools to start reopening after Nigeria mass abduction
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover could break the record for miles driven on another planet
Step by step instructions to Choose the Right Auto Crash Legal counselor for Your Case












