Nuri | NeonSat-2 to 6

South Korea's Nuri Rocket Set to Deploy NeonSat-2 to 6 in Landmark Earth Observation Mission

On September 30, 2026, South Korea's space ambitions will take another significant step forward with the launch of the Nuri rocket carrying the NeonSat-2 to 6 satellites. This mission, orchestrated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), marks a pivotal advancement in the nation's push toward self-reliant space capabilities. As the third operational flight of the Nuri launcher, it underscores South Korea's growing role in the global space economy, focusing on Earth observation technology tailored to national needs.

At the heart of the mission are the NeonSat-2 to 6 micro-satellites, integral components of the New-space Earth Observation Satellite (NeonSat) constellation. Developed under the auspices of the South Korean government, this system represents a pioneering shift toward mass-produced satellites for high-resolution monitoring. Each NeonSat unit weighs approximately 100 kilograms and is equipped with advanced electro-optical imaging payloads capable of capturing images with resolutions down to 1 meter. This enables precise surveillance of environmental changes, urban development, disaster response, and agricultural patterns, with a particular emphasis on the Korean Peninsula. The constellation's design allows for rapid revisit times—potentially daily imaging of key areas—facilitating real-time data analysis for applications like flood prediction and border security. By employing a mass-production model, similar to commercial ventures like SpaceX's Starlink, South Korea aims to reduce costs and accelerate deployment, targeting a full constellation of 11 satellites by the end of the decade. This approach not only enhances data sovereignty but also positions the country as a leader in affordable, scalable space technology.

The Nuri rocket, officially known as the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II (KSLV-II), is a three-stage launcher standing 47.2 meters tall with a diameter of 3.5 meters at its base. Its first stage is powered by four KRE-075 engines, each delivering 75 tons of thrust using liquid oxygen and kerosene propellants, generating a total liftoff thrust of about 300 tons. The second stage employs a single KRE-075 engine, while the third stage uses a smaller KRE-007 for precise orbital insertion. With a payload capacity of up to 1,500 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO) and 2,600 kilograms to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), Nuri is designed for versatility in deploying small to medium satellites