South Korea’s NEONSAT microsatellite constellation of five satellites captures and transmits its first images to a ground station within about a day of liftoff, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) says. The satellites are on board the country’s homegrown Nuri rocket and send the first imagery 14 hours and 29 minutes after launch on Oct. 7 from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, a KASA statement says.
KASA reports that the fast acquisition of images confirms the satellites’ normal operations, including the performance of their optical payloads. The agency says communications with ground stations remain stable, with power generation and attitude control systems operating normally. After further payload checks, KASA and KAIST begin initial operations.
Across the two outlets, the core details are consistent: five microsatellites, launch aboard Nuri, first images within roughly a day, and follow-on checks ahead of initial operations. Coverage also frames the milestone as part of Korea’s effort to establish its first domestically developed microsatellite constellation for Earth observation supporting national safety needs.
