South Korea has successfully launched NEONSAT-1A, a nanosatellite designed for Earth observation, as part of the country’s plan to build a satellite constellation by 2027.
The launch was confirmed on Friday by the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA).
The satellite was carried into orbit aboard the Electron rocket operated by Rocket Lab, lifting off from the company’s Mahia Launch Complex in New Zealand. Rocket Lab announced the successful liftoff and payload deployment on social media.
LIFTOFF! Electron is on its way to orbit with the NEONSAT-1A satellite for @kaistpr pic.twitter.com/Y9tz4Hy9si
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) January 30, 2026
Developed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), NEONSAT-1A is the second satellite in a planned group of 11 nanosatellites. The constellation aims to monitor the Korean Peninsula and nearby regions, with a focus on near-real-time observation and natural disaster monitoring.
NEONSAT-1A is equipped with a high-resolution optical camera and represents an upgraded version of NEONSAT-1, which was launched into low Earth orbit in April 2024. While the full constellation is still under development, the latest launch marks steady progress toward the project’s long-term goal.
The NEONSAT program is funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and involves collaboration between multiple academic and research institutions, including SaTReC, which leads system design and engineering.
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This mission was Rocket Lab’s second launch of 2026 and its 81st successful launch overall, continuing the company’s strong track record following a record 21 missions completed in 2025.
