
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
Modern surgery began with saws and iron hands – how amputation transformed the body in the Renaissance - 2
Striking American and European television Projects: A Survey - 3
How AI fixed the James Webb Space Telescope's blurry vision - 4
Kiev declares energy emergency after Russian attacks amid winter cold - 5
Unwinding the Starting points of America: An Excursion Through History
Vote In favor of Your Number one Kind Of Food Conveyance Administration
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS' journey through our solar system, in photos
Gaza amputees struggle to rebuild lives as the enclave faces shortages of prosthetic limbs
The Best Computer games Ever
Procter & Gamble changes Crest toothpaste packaging to address Texas AG fluoride concerns
Well known SUVs With Low Energy Utilization In 2024 vote
Photos of amputees in Gaza, struggling to survive after losing limbs to Israeli airstrikes
Proficient Cultivating Devices for a Lovely and Useful Nursery in 2024
Which Carrier Do You Suggest? Vote













