Nuri-Launched Nanosatellites Capture Earth Image Within 14 Hours

The image shows Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States, photographed by Nanosatellite Constellation Satellite No. 4 on Oct, 8. (Provided by the Korea AeroSpace Administration) The nanosatellite constellation sent into space aboard Nuri, the Korean launch vehicle, has sent back Earth observation imagery less than a day after launch, signaling a positive start to its mission. The Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said on Oct. 15 that Nanosatellite Constellation Satellites No. 2 through No. 6, launched at 12:25 p.m. on Oct. 7, captured their first ground observation image and completed transmission to a ground station about 14 hours and 29 minutes after launch. The image secured this time shows the Cleveland area of Ohio in the United States, photographed by Satellite No. 4 on Oct. 8. The early acquisition of imagery is a key indicator demonstrating that the satellite platform and optical payload operated as designed immediately after launch. All five satellites, No. 2 through No. 6, which were developed through a mass-production method, are currently communicating smoothly with ground stations, while major systems including power generation and attitude control are also remaining in normal condition. The achievement was built on initial operational know-how accumulated through a previously launched prototype and verification satellite. In particular, it is assessed that the application of an automation concept specialized for constellation operations significantly shortened the time needed for the satellites to stabilize in orbit and begin initial operation. The Korea AeroSpace Administration and KAIST plan to begin full-scale initial operations as soon as checks on payload conditions are completed. In this process, they intend to carry out constellation formation work in stages to place the five satellites at regular intervals. Once the satellites are positioned properly, a denser Earth observation network will become possible. During next year, when the initial operations phase is completed, satellite operation authority will be transferred to the National Satellite Operation Center in Jeju. Satellite image data produced there is expected to be used broadly in public service fields, including national security and disaster response. Oh Tae-seok, administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, evaluated the outcome as a meaningful result that demonstrated the stable operation of nanosatellites mass-produced with domestic technology.