
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
A few Up-to-date Sacks - Stylish Young ladies Shouldn't Miss - 2
Instructions to Pick the Right Tires for Your Slam 1500. - 3
Watch South Korean startup Innospace attempt its 1st-ever orbital launch today - 4
Health Rounds: Regeneron drug wipes out residual multiple myeloma cells in small trial - 5
Find the Captivating Professional flowerbeds of the US
What you need to know about Trump accounts as Michael and Susan Dell donate $6 billion to the new early childhood investment program
IDF bans Android phones for senior officers, iPhones now mandatory, Army Radio reports
Lawsuit claims ChatGPT exacerbated man's delusions leading to murder-suicide
The face is familiar, the name might not be. The king of "Hey, it's that guy!' roles is ready to show you his next act.
Holiday spots Well known With Americans In 2024
Distributed storage Answers for Information Reinforcement
The Meaning of Breaking the Pen's Nib in Death penalties
6 Monetary Arranging Administrations for Your Necessities
Scientists detect X-ray glow from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS extending 250,000 miles into space













