
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
Artemis II astronauts arrive at Florida launch site for first moon trip in 53 years
Foods with healthy-sounding buzzwords could be hiding added sugar in plain sight
Kendall Jenner addresses long-standing rumor about her sexuality
Benihana is 60 years old. Gen Z is lining up.
Nature: 10 High priority Setting up camp Spots In Europe
Moon memorial: Artemis 2 astronauts name lunar 'bright spot' after mission commander's late wife
5 Advancement Developments in Biotechnology
More than 800 flights canceled as FAA cuts traffic at 40 major airports. Here's what to know.
New heart disease calculator predicts 30-year risk for young adults











