
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.
Katz alleges Army Radio workers misled High Court in bid to halt closure
America's Confided in Fridge in 2024
Tech Devices 2023: The Most blazing Arrivals of the Year
Former 'Bachelorette' welcomes 1st baby via emergency c-section
The Fate of Rest: Patterns in Shrewd Beds
Radiate brilliantly: The 5 Precious stone Rings to Purchase in 2024
Watch Blue Origin's huge New Glenn rocket ace its epic landing on a ship at sea (video)
Instructions to Arrange Your Compensation During Medical caretaker Prospective employee meetings
Auschwitz Committee wants German auction of Holocaust items scrapped













