
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
PHOTO ESSAY: Scientists trying to unravel one of the body's biggest mysteries - 2
Beyond the habitable zone: Exoplanet atmospheres are the next clue to finding life on planets orbiting distant stars - 3
Manhunt for Brown University shooter continues: FBI releases photos of suspect, announces $50K reward - 4
Lily Allen 2026 'West End Girl' arena tour: How to get tickets, prices and more - 5
2024's Savvy Home Gadgets for an Associated Way of life
Brazil's agricultural research agency gets cannabis research greenlight
Pick Your #1 Kind Of Treat
Step by step instructions to Explore the Close to home Consequence of Cellular breakdown in the lungs
6 Fun Urban areas For Seniors To Travel
What we know about Renee Nicole Good, the woman who was killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis
The new queen of country music has no scandals and no gimmicks — and just broke a record set by Taylor Swift
10 times the sky amazed us in 2025
Travels to Dream Objections in Europe
The 3 little words TV fans can't stop obsessing over












