
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
Vote in favor of the Top Vegetable for Senior - 2
Scientists reveal earliest evidence for shifting of Earth’s crust - 3
EU calls on Western Balkans to step up reforms for membership - 4
The most effective method to Shake Hands Expertly: A Bit by bit Guide - 5
Figure out How to Store Your Gold Ventures: A Thorough Aide safely
Lift Your Style: Famous Hairdos for Ladies
The Most Paramount Crossroads in Olympic History
Vote In favor of Your #1 Compelling Female Producer
Commonsense Ways to work on Your Funds with a Restricted Pay
Don’t let food poisoning crash your Thanksgiving dinner
Polls open in tense Uganda election amid widespread delays
NASA's Artemis 2 moon launch seen from space | Space photo of the day for April 2, 2026
3 back-to-back storms forecast to bring snow and surges of cold air across the Midwest to the Northeast
See the 'amazing' photos of Earth taken on historic Artemis II moon mission













