South Korea launched a nanosatellite from New Zealand

South Korea launched a nanosatellite from New Zealand

South Korea on Wednesday launched its nanosatellite into orbit as part of its project to create a constellation of satellites by 2027, local media reported.

The Earth observation satellite was lifted off Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the spaceport in Mahia, New Zealand, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported, citing a statement from the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The satellite, named NEONSAT-1, was launched into space at an altitude of 520 kilometers (323 miles), about 50 minutes after the rocket’s launch, according to the report.

A satellite developed by the state-owned Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) for mass production, NEONSAT-1 weighs less than 100 kilograms and has a resolution of 1 meter.

Seoul plans to launch five more nanosatellites into space in June 2026 and five more in September 2027 to better monitor the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas.

Earlier this month, South Korea also “successfully” launched a second indigenous spy satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

South Korea launched its first spy satellite in December last year after North Korea put its first military spy satellite into orbit in November and vowed to launch three more this year.