The verification satellite for ultra-small cluster satellites, whose launch had been postponed twice on two occasions last month, finally headed into space on the morning of the 30th.
Carried by the small launch vehicle Electron from Rocket Lab, the U.S. space company, the verification satellite was successfully launched at 10:21 a.m. (Korea time) from the Mahia launch site in New Zealand.
The ultra-small cluster satellites are practical Earth observation satellites being developed to precisely monitor the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters at high frequency for use not only in national crises but also in disaster response. The government plans to sequentially deploy up to 11 units to reduce observation gaps and strengthen surveillance and response capabilities. The verification satellite launched this time is intended to recheck and verify, in the actual orbital environment, the cluster satellite system technologies identified during the operation of the first unit.
The verification satellite had attempted launches twice at the same site on the 11th and 16th last month, but the schedule was delayed. On the 11th, repeated holds during the countdown caused a postponement, and on the 16th, launch procedures were halted after the countdown because engine ignition did not proceed normally.
The launch on this day also resumed after clearing a hurdle. Rocket Lab initially conducted the countdown targeting a 9:55 a.m. Korea time liftoff, but the countdown stopped 8 minutes 59 seconds before launch and the schedule was briefly put on hold. Rocket Lab checked for any violations of launch criteria, resolved the issue, proceeded with the steps again, and succeeded in the launch.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration said in a notice from the Spokesperson's Office that "the first scheduled time for domestic communication with the ultra-small cluster satellite verification satellite launched at 10:21 a.m. Korea time on the 30th is 1:12 p.m.," adding, "We plan to release related data after the first communication succeeds."