Nuri rocket's tiny cluster satellites capture first Earth images

- All five first-batch satellites operating normally, with automated technology cutting initial checkout time

- Operations to transfer to Jeju national satellite center next year for national security and disaster response

An image of Cleveland, Ohio, captured by Compact Cluster Satellite No. 4. [Korea AeroSpace Administration]

Compact cluster satellites launched aboard South Korea's Nuri rocket successfully captured Earth observation imagery just over 14 hours after liftoff, demonstrating the stable in-orbit performance of domestically developed small satellites and paving the way for their use in national security and disaster response.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration and KAIST announced Thursday that Compact Cluster Satellites Nos. 2 through 6, which entered orbit Oct. 7 at 12:25 p.m. aboard Nuri's fifth launch, transmitted their first ground observation images to a ground station approximately 14 hours and 29 minutes after launch.

The achievement is significant in that it confirmed both the satellite bus and the optical payload were functioning normally immediately after launch.

All five first-batch production satellites are maintaining smooth communication with the ground station, with key systems including power generation and attitude control operating normally.

Notably, the time required to obtain the initial imagery was substantially shorter than with previous satellites.

The improvement came from refined initial checkout procedures based on operational experience with earlier prototype and verification satellites, as well as the application of automated technology enabling simultaneous operation of multiple satellites.

An image of Montgomery, Alabama, captured by Compact Cluster Satellite No. 6. [Korea AeroSpace Administration]

Researchers minimized trial and error by drawing on orbital operations data from the earlier satellites. The satellites were also designed to automatically begin status checks and stabilization immediately after separating from the Nuri rocket, boosting the efficiency of cluster satellite operations.

KASA and KAIST will use the acquired imagery to assess the condition of the optical payload and begin full initial operations.

Over the next approximately six months, the teams will carry out calibration and validation work to correct the positioning and quality of the imagery, while also proceeding in stages with constellation formation — arranging the five satellites at regular intervals in orbit.

After completing initial operations, the program is set to transfer to the National Satellite Operations Center in Jeju next year. Imagery obtained thereafter will be used for national security, monitoring of wildfires, floods and other disasters, and a range of public-sector applications.

"This early acquisition of imagery is a meaningful achievement that demonstrates the stable in-orbit operation of domestically mass-produced compact satellites, built on technology accumulated through the operation of our prototype and verification satellites," KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok said. "We will complete initial operations without a hitch and ensure this leads to satellite information services that citizens can tangibly benefit from."

nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com