Goheung:A constellation of five South Korean microsatellites has successfully captured and transmitted its first images to a ground station within a day of launch aboard the Nuri space rocket. This achievement was announced by the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) on Thursday.

According to Qatar 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 located in Goheung on October 7. This early acquisition of imagery confirms the normal operation of the satellites and their optical payloads, marking a significant milestone in South Korea’s development of its first domestically produced microsatellite constellation.

The satellites are maintaining stable communications with ground stations, with both their power generation and attitude control systems functioning normally, as stated by KASA. Following additional checks on the satellites’ payloads, KASA, along with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), will initiate initial operations. The five satellites will be gradually positioned to form a constellation. After these initial operations are completed, control will be transferred to the National Satellite Operation Center on Jeju Island next year.

The imagery captured by the satellites will be used for national security and disaster response purposes. The NEONSAT constellation is expected to eventually consist of 10 satellites, with an additional five set for launch aboard the Nuri rocket’s sixth flight next year.