January 30, 2026 1:21 am

Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A)

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Electron

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
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January 30, 2026 1:21 am

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2026-06-27 06:52:30

The NeonSat-1A, carrying a high-resolution optical camera, is designed to test the constellation capabilities of the South Korean government’s Earth observation micro-satellite constellation NeonSat (New-space Earth Observation Satellite), in particular technology improvements identified from operations of NeonSat-1 after its launch in April 2024. These technologies will in turn be incorporated into the next 10 NeonSat under construction, as well as providing more site re-visiting capabilities along with NeonSat-1. The NeonSat constellation is the first satellite system developed by the government using a mass-production approach for precise monitoring of the Korean Peninsula, lead by the Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC) at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea’s leading university dedicated to science and technology. Designed to capture near-real time natural disaster monitoring for the Korean peninsula, KAIST’s NEONSAT constellation is a collaboration across multiple Korean academic, industry, and research institutions, including SaTReC, which is leading the program’s system design and engineering. The NEONSAT program is funded by the Korean government’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).
Launch Overview
Window Open 22:45 UTC
Window Close 02:00 UTC
Lift Off Jan 30, 2026 · 01:21 UTC
Launch Facility Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch Pad Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A
Target Orbit Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer Rocket Lab
Payload Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A)
Rocket Electron
Destination Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship
The NeonSat-1A, carrying a high-resolution optical camera, is designed to test the constellation capabilities of the South Korean government’s Earth observation micro-satellite constellation NeonSat (New-space Earth Observation Satellite), in particular technology improvements identified from operations of NeonSat-1 after its launch in April 2024. These technologies will in turn be incorporated into the next 10 NeonSat under construction, as well as providing more site re-visiting capabilities along with NeonSat-1. The NeonSat constellation is the first satellite system developed by the government using a mass-production approach for precise monitoring of the Korean Peninsula, lead by the Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC) at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea’s leading university dedicated to science and technology. Designed to capture near-real time natural disaster monitoring for the Korean peninsula, KAIST’s NEONSAT constellation is a collaboration across multiple Korean academic, industry, and research institutions, including SaTReC, which is leading the program’s system design and engineering. The NEONSAT program is funded by the Korean government’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).

Height

LEO Payload

Total Launches

Status

Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A
Launch Overview
Window Open 22:45 UTC
Window Close 02:00 UTC
Lift Off Jan 30, 2026 · 01:21 UTC
Launch Facility Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch Pad Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A
Target Orbit Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer Rocket Lab
Payload Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A)
Rocket Electron
Destination Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship

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