Jakarta, INTI - South Korea successfully deployed five ultra-small Neonsat satellites into orbit using its Nuri launch vehicle in a mission that proceeded as scheduled on Wednesday.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) said the five satellites were developed to support natural disaster monitoring and observation.
The Nuri rocket lifted off at 03:25 GMT, or 12:25 p.m. local time, from the Naro Space Center at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula.
KASA Administrator Oh Taeseog said the launch was notable because it marked the first time the Nuri mission had taken place precisely according to its scheduled timeline.
“This is the first time a launch has taken place exactly as scheduled,” Oh Taeseog said following the Nuri launch.
Five Neonsat Satellites Successfully Deployed
Approximately 17 minutes after liftoff, the five Neonsat satellites successfully separated from the rocket at 03:42 GMT, or 12:42 p.m. local time.
In addition to the five Neonsat satellites, 10 ultra-small satellites known as CubeSats were also successfully deployed from the Nuri rocket.
One of the Neonsat satellites has already established communication with a ground station at the King Sejong Antarctic Research Station.
Oh Taeseog said the other four Neonsat satellites were expected to establish communication at around 07:30 GMT, or 4:30 p.m. local time, on Wednesday.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is continuing a more detailed analysis of data collected during the launch and mission.
The final outcome of the Nuri mission will be announced once the data analysis has been completed.
Fifth Nuri Rocket Launch
The mission marked the fifth launch of South Korea’s Nuri rocket.
Previously, South Korea launched Nuri on November 26, 2025, carrying the CAS500-3 primary satellite.
During that mission, Nuri successfully placed CAS500-3 into orbit to support scientific research activities in space.
In addition to CAS500-3, the previous Nuri mission also successfully deployed 12 CubeSats into orbit.
Conclusion
South Korea’s latest Nuri mission strengthens its space capabilities, successfully deploying five Neonsat satellites for natural disaster monitoring alongside 10 CubeSats. The mission also marks the fifth launch of the Nuri rocket.
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