A South Korean nanosatellite, NEONSAT-1A, was sent into orbit on Friday as part of a project by the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) to establish a satellite constellation for Earth observation by 2027. The satellite, developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), is the second of 11 nanosatellites planned to create a constellation for monitoring and capturing images of the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings.
NEONSAT-1A, equipped with a high-resolution optical camera, is part of the NEONSAT programme aimed at near-real-time natural disaster monitoring for the Korean peninsula. This initiative involves collaboration among various Korean academic, industry, and research institutions, with funding provided by the Korean government’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).
Rocket Lab, a US space company, launched the NEONSAT-1A satellite aboard its Electron rocket from the Mahia Launch Complex in New Zealand. This marks Rocket Lab’s second launch of 2026 and its 81st overall mission. The company has achieved 100% mission success in 2026, setting a new record with 21 missions launched last year.
