
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
Very good quality Greens All over The Planet - 2
6 Well known Nissan Vehicles in the U.S. - 3
American tourists left stranded in the Caribbean following flight cancellations after airspace closed for Maduro operation - 4
5 Pizza Fixings That Characterize Your Character - 5
David Duchovny's new thriller has him stripping down at 65. But its chilling premise hits close to home.
Must-See Attractions in France
2 bright planets light up April evenings — here's where and when to look
Israeli forces kill one person in series of attacks on southern Lebanon
Reporter's Notebook: The Post embeds with foreign armies visiting the IDF
‘Ukrainian housewives’ and Skyranger delays – German defense poster child Rheinmetall is in hot water
Melodic Event: A Survey of \Energies and Exhibitions Assessed\ Live concert
Figure out How to Recognize Early Indications of Depressions
Amateur's Manual for Venture Strategies for Tenderfoots
Getting breast implants was a mistake I live with every day. Why I’m sharing my story now, at 70, in pain and afraid.













