What did the NEONSAT microsatellites capture after launching on the Nuri rocket?

The five NEONSAT microsatellites captured and transmitted their first images to a ground station 14 hours and 29 minutes after liftoff. The imagery confirmed that the satellites and their optical payloads were operating normally.

What will happen to the NEONSAT satellites after their initial payload checks?

KASA and KAIST will begin initial operations after completing additional payload checks. The satellites will then be positioned at regular intervals to form a constellation, before control transfers to the National Satellite Operation Center on Jeju Island next year.

How will the completed NEONSAT constellation be used?

The satellite imagery will be used for national security and disaster response. The constellation is planned to expand to 10 satellites, with five additional units scheduled to launch aboard the Nuri rocket’s sixth flight next year.

Korean microsatellite constellation captures first images within a day of launch

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Summary

A constellation of five Korean microsatellites captured and transmitted its first images from the Naro Space Center in Goheung 14 hours and 29 minutes after launching on Oct. 7 aboard the Nuri rocket. The early imagery confirmed normal operation of the satellites and optical payloads. The satellites will support national security and disaster response, with five more planned for launch next year to complete the 10-satellite constellation.

Key Facts

The Korea AeroSpace Administration said the satellites’ power generation, attitude control systems and communications with ground stations were operating normally.
KASA and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will conduct additional payload checks before beginning initial operations.
The satellites will be gradually positioned at regular intervals to form the constellation.
Control is scheduled to transfer to the National Satellite Operation Center on Jeju Island next year.
The completed NEONSAT constellation will comprise 10 satellites, with the additional five scheduled to launch aboard the Nuri rocket’s sixth flight.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 15, 2026 11:22 am KST

New-space Earth Observation Satellite Constellation for National Safety (NEONSAT) No. 4 captures an image of Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States, Oct. 8. Courtesy of Korea AeroSpace Administration

A constellation of five Korean microsatellites successfully captured and transmitted its first images to a ground station within a day of launch aboard the country's homegrown Nuri space rocket last week, the space agency said Thursday.

The five New-space Earth Observation Satellite Constellation for National Safety (NEONSAT) microsatellites transmitted their first images just 14 hours and 29 minutes after liftoff from the Naro Space Center in the southwestern coastal town of Goheung on Oct. 7, according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA).

The early acquisition of imagery confirmed the normal operation of the satellites and their optical payloads, marking a milestone in Korea's efforts to establish its first domestically developed microsatellite constellation.

The satellites are maintaining stable communications with ground stations, with their power generation and attitude control systems operating normally, KASA said.

Following additional payload checks, KASA and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) will begin initial operations. The five satellites will be gradually positioned at regular intervals to form a constellation.

Once initial operations are completed, control will be transferred to the National Satellite Operation Center on Jeju Island next year. The satellite imagery is to be used for national security and disaster response.

The NEONSAT constellation will eventually comprise 10 satellites. Another five are scheduled for launch aboard the Nuri rocket's sixth flight next year.

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