[News Terms] NewSpace Signal Flare, 'Ultra-Small Cluster Satellites'

On the 24th (local time), the ultra-small satellite cluster launched from Mahia, New Zealand, successfully entered orbit. This cluster refers to a group of small satellites weighing less than 100 kg that orbit the Earth at regular intervals. This is the first time Korea has launched such an ultra-small satellite cluster.

The American space company Rocket Lab's launch vehicle 'Electron,' carrying the microsatellite cluster No. 1, was launched from the Mahia launch site in New Zealand at 7:32 a.m. Korean time on the 24th (10:32 a.m. local time on the 24th). [Image source=Yonhap News]

The ultra-small satellite cluster launched this time was developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT since 2020, to conduct high-frequency, precise monitoring of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters and to respond swiftly to national security and disaster situations. Including the first satellite launched on this day, the cluster consists of a total of 11 satellites. Starting with the first ultra-small satellite, the Ministry of Science and ICT and KAIST plan to launch an additional five satellites each in 2026 and 2027 using the Korean launch vehicle Nuri, aiming to operate all 11 satellites by the second half of 2027. These satellites will observe the Earth for about three years from an altitude of 500 km, equipped with electro-optical cameras capable of black-and-white 1m and color 4m or higher resolution.

The advantage of ultra-small satellite clusters is that multiple satellites can be used simultaneously, allowing much more frequent monitoring of the same location compared to conventional small satellites. Because many satellites operate together as a group, if an anomaly is detected in a specific area, that location can be observed more precisely from various positions. They can complement high-performance large satellites and are suitable for global-scale missions, making them a promising revenue-generating sector in the private space industry.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT expects that the images provided by Korea’s first ultra-small satellite cluster will create a synergy effect with existing high-resolution reconnaissance resources, significantly enhancing the 24-hour surveillance system for key targets. Additionally, it is anticipated that video information will be actively utilized during abnormal climate events or disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts, and heavy snowfall, greatly improving the nation’s response capabilities in crisis situations.