Goheung:A constellation of five South Korean microsatellites successfully captured and transmitted its first images to a ground station within a day of being launched aboard the country's homegrown Nuri space rocket last week, as announced by the space agency.
According to Yonhap News Agency, 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 October 7, as reported by 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 South 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.
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 slated for use in national security and disaster response.
The NEONSAT constellation will eventually comprise ten satellites, with another five scheduled for launch aboard the Nuri rocket's sixth flight next year.