NEONSAT-1, Korea's first nanosatellite, is launched into space aboard U.S. aerospace company Rocket Lab's space rocket Electron from a spaceport in Mahia, New Zealand, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

Korea launched its first nanosatellite or mini-satellite, NEONSAT-1, into space, to enhance its surveillance system and better monitor natural disasters on the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of Science and ICT said, Wednesday.

The space rocket Electron, from the U.S. aerospace company Rocket Lab, launched NEONSAT-1 into orbit at 7:32 a.m. from a spaceport in Mahia, New Zealand.

"The nanosatellite NEONSAT-1 successfully separated from the launch vehicle approximately 50 minutes after launch, at 8:22 a.m.," the ministry said. It added the satellite succeeded in communicating with a ground station in Daejeon at 11:57 a.m.

Furthermore, following communication with a ground station at King Sejong Station in Antarctica at 2:13 p.m. and 3:44 p.m., two-way communication was normal, confirming the successful launch of the satellite, the ministry said. NEONSAT-1 will now commence its initial operational procedures, including functional checks, it added.

The nanosatellite was designed for precise surveillance of the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding seas multiple times a day, serving national security and disaster response purposes. Korea invested 231.4 billion won ($169 million) in the satellite project, which started in 2020 and will take eight years to complete.

NEONSAT-1 was developed by the Satellite Technology Research Center at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), with the participation of Satrec Initiative, a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).

Seen is a model picture of NEONSAT-1 nanosatellite. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

Following this satellite launch, Korea plans to launch an additional five nanosatellites in both 2026 and 2027. The science ministry added those launches will be carried out by Korea's space launch vehicle Nuri.

Upon completion of all the launches, the nanosatellites will operate as a satellite constellation, working as one group. Through the satellite constellation, Korea expects a significant improvement in its ability to respond to crises, even during abnormal weather phenomena or disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts and heavy snowfall, by actively utilizing imagery information.

"The nanosatellites, designed with lightweight construction and low-power consumption, will be operated at a low cost. The ministry plans to launch a total of 11 satellites by 2027 to secure images of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters with high frequency through cluster operation to enhance national security and prompt and accurate responses to disasters and calamities," the ministry said.

The science ministry added that the satellite launch is expected to have a significant economic impact on Korea's satellite industry.

By securing large volumes of images covering the desired areas, it is expected to meet most of the satellite image demands required in key public sectors so that the country can significantly reduce the costs of image purchases from overseas companies. Furthermore, it is anticipated that revenue can be generated by selling images further afield than the Korean Peninsula.

Additionally, the collaborative experience of KAIST, Satrec Initiative and KARI in satellite manufacturing, launching and control is expected to nurture the private sector-led space industry here.

"The development and production of the nanosatellites is a desirable model of industry-academia-government cooperation. We hope that this launch will raise the level of space industrialization in Korea and activate the cooperation in space development," Kim Ee-eul, CEO of Satrec Initiative, said.