Two Launches in Two Days from Two Hemispheres: Rocket Lab Beats Annual Launch Record with Back-To-Back Electron Missions

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) completed two Electron launches in two days from opposite hemispheres, setting a new annual company record of 18 Electron launches in 2025 with 100% mission success. The Follow My Speed mission launched from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand on Nov 20, 2025 at 12:43 UTC (Nov 21, 2025 1:43 am NZDT) to deploy a payload for a confidential commercial customer.

Two days earlier the company launched from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia — its third HASTE suborbital launch in 2025 and sixth suborbital Electron mission overall — highlighting a rapid, responsive launch cadence the company says rose 1,700% in less than a decade. More missions are scheduled before year end.

Positive

• Annual launches: 18 Electron launches in 2025
• Mission success: 100% success rate for 2025 launches
• Cadence growth: Electron launch cadence up 1,700% in under a decade

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace operations analyst

Rocket Lab set a new annual record with 18 Electron launches in 2025, all successful, showing strong operational execution.

These back-to-back launches from opposite hemispheres demonstrate repeatable mission planning, rapid turnaround, and the operational flexibility of the Electron vehicle across orbital and suborbital profiles. Achieving 18 flights with 100% mission success in a single year signals robust launch procedures, reliable ground operations, and effective payload integration processes.

Key dependencies and risks include maintaining supply chain continuity for hardware, sustaining launch-site availability across multiple ranges, and preserving the current reliability track record under higher cadence. Monitor upcoming missions scheduled before year-end and any disclosed changes to launch cadence or manifest; the next few launches will confirm whether this annual pace is sustainable beyond 2025.

LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today completed its second launch in two days from its launch sites in two hemispheres, setting a new annual launch record for the Company: 18 Electron launches in 2025 with 100% mission success.

The “Follow My Speed” mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand on November 20, 2025 at 12:43 UTC (November 21, 2025 at 1:43 am NZDT) to successfully deploy its payload for a confidential commercial customer. The mission launched just two days after the Company’s latest launch from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia, Rocket Lab’s third HASTE launch this year and sixth mission overall involving its suborbital variant of Electron for hypersonic technology test flights.

These record-setting events further solidify Electron’s industry leadership as the world’s most frequently launched small orbital rocket. Rocket Lab has increased the annual launch cadence of Electron by 1,700% in less than a decade, driven by international demand for its responsive space capabilities and proven execution with pinpoint payload deployment accuracy.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Electron once again proves why it is the champion of small launch globally. These two launches serve as great examples of the team’s skill at delivering mission success for our customers anywhere, anytime, and no matter the mission profile – from a suborbital hypersonic technology demonstration to a commercial orbital mission, all within 48 hours and from opposite sides of the world. This new annual record is a proud moment for a remarkable team that continues to set new benchmarks for the launch industry.”

Rocket Lab remains on track to further extend Electron’s annual launch record and end the year with more launches scheduled. Details on upcoming missions will be shared at www.rocketlabcorp.com

“Follow My Speed” launch images: F76 | Follow My Speed | Flickr

“Follow My Speed” launch webcast: 'Follow My Speed' Launch - YouTube

Rocket Lab Media Contact 
Kate Gamble
media@rocketlabusa.com

About Rocket Lab
About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services, spacecraft, payloads and satellite components serving commercial, government, and national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides hypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations; and its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for constellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700 missions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. Rocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange (RKLB). Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at  https://investors.rocketlabcorp.com which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

FAQ

What record did Rocket Lab (RKLB) set with the Nov 20, 2025 launch?

Rocket Lab reached a new annual record of 18 Electron launches in 2025 with a 100% mission success rate.

When and where did the 'Follow My Speed' mission launch for RKLB?

The 'Follow My Speed' mission launched from Mahia, New Zealand on Nov 20, 2025 at 12:43 UTC (Nov 21, 2025 1:43 am NZDT).

How did Rocket Lab achieve two launches in two days for RKLB?

Rocket Lab conducted back-to-back missions from two hemispheres: Wallops Island, Virginia and Mahia, New Zealand, separated by 48 hours.

What is Rocket Lab's HASTE and how many HASTE flights did RKLB perform in 2025?

HASTE is Rocket Lab's suborbital variant for hypersonic tests; RKLB completed its third HASTE launch in 2025 and the company's sixth suborbital Electron mission overall.

Does Rocket Lab have more launches scheduled for the end of 2025?

Yes. The company indicated it remains on track to extend Electron's annual launch record with more launches scheduled before year end.

How did Rocket Lab quantify Electron's growth for investors following the Nov 20, 2025 launch?

The company reported Electron's annual launch cadence increased by 1,700% in less than a decade, citing international demand and responsive capabilities.