South Korea follows Nuri success with packed satellite launch schedule2025.12.01[...]On December 10 (local time), a 'verification satellite' designed to test the constellation capabilities of the South Korean government's microsatellite constellation is confirmed to launch from Rocket Lab's launch site on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand. Satrec Initiative, the Satellite Technology Research Center at KAIST, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) participated in the production of the microsatellite.The microsatellite constellation is the first satellite system developed by the government using a mass-production approach for precise monitoring of the Korean Peninsula. The first prototype satellite was launched into space in April of last year aboard an 'Electron' rocket from the American launch company Rocket Lab. Satellites 2 through 6 and 7 through 11 are scheduled to be launched via the Nuri rocket next year and the year after, respectively.According to an announcement from the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) in September, the verification satellite is intended to validate the microsatellite constellation system's technology, identified through the first satellite, in orbit. The verification satellite will be placed in an afternoon orbit, which enhances observation efficiency by imaging the ground at a consistent time each afternoon. It will precisely verify on-orbit thrust performance, satellite altitude and spacing maintenance capabilities, and image quality.[...]
[LIVE Preview] December 11 at 9:35 AM Korea AeroSpace Administration YouTube Channel Live Broadcast of the Launch of the First Mass-Produced Micro Swarm Satellite Verifier 🛰️ Catch the launch moment of the micro swarm satellite, a practical Earth observation satellite, on the Korea AeroSpace Administration YouTube Channel! (Translated from Korean)
Some marine navigation warnings have popped up for another Electron SSO launch from New Zealand right on the heels of the RAISE-4 launch, NET December 9/10 22:45-02:00 UTC.041808Z DEC 25HYDROPAC 3215/25(76).SOUTH PACIFIC.NEW ZEALAND.DNC 06.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 2245Z TO 0200ZDAILY 09 DEC THRU 24 DEC:A. ROCKET LAUNCHING IN AREA BOUND BY39-12.00S 177-49.00E, 39-12.00S 177-57.00E,39-15.00S 178-06.00E, 39-54.00S 177-48.00E,39-54.00S 177-36.00E, 39-18.00S 177-42.00E.B. SPACE DEBRIS IN AREA BOUND BY43-24.00S 175-42.00E, 43-36.00S 177-30.00E,47-42.00S 176-30.00E, 47-24.00S 174-30.00E.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 240300Z DEC 25.041818Z DEC 25HYDROPAC 3216/25(76).SOUTH PACIFIC.DNC 06.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS2245Z TO 0200Z DAILY 09 THRU 24 DECIN AREA BOUND BY53-18.00S 171-48.00E, 53-36.00S 174-06.00E,58-48.00S 172-36.00E, 58-30.00S 169-54.00E.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 240300Z DEC 25.
B9229/25 NOTAMNQ) NZZC/QRDCA/IV/BO /W /000/999/3924S17755E030A) NZZC B) 2512110015 C) 2512110205E) TEMPO DANGER AREA NZD097 (MAHIA EAST CAPE) IS PRESCRIBED ASFLW: EXCLUDING THAT AREA CO-INCIDENT WITH NZR401, ALL THAT AIRSPACE BOUNDED BY A LINE JOINING:38 59 00.20 S 178 13 58.80 E39 08 03.80 S 178 16 31.40 E39 24 00.00 S 178 15 00.00 E39 48 00.00 S 178 00.00.00 E39 48 00.00 S 177 36 00.00 E39 20 17.20 S 177 36 32.80 E39 06 00.00 S 177 36 32,80 E39 06 00.00 S 177 54 00.00 E38 59 00.20 S 178 13 58.80 EACTIVITY: ROCKET LAUNCHUSING AGENCY: ROCKET LAB LIMITED,RANGE CONTROL CENTRE, TEL +64 28 255 11638 PRESCRIBED PURSUANT TO CIVIL AVIATION RULE PART 71 UNDER A DELEGATED AUTHORITY ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATIONF) SFC G) UNL B9230/25 NOTAMNQ) NZZO/QRDCA/IV/BO /W /000/999/4533S17605E133A) NZZO B) 2512110015 C) 2512110205E) TEMPO DANGER AREA NZD098 (WEST CHATHAM ISLANDS) IS PRESCRIBED AS FLW: ALL THAT AIRSPACE BOUNDED BY A LINE JOINING:43 36 00.00 S 177 30 00.00 E47 42 00.00 S 176 30 00.00 E47 24 00.00 S 174 30 00.00 E43 24 00.00 S 175 42 00.00 E43 36 00.00 S 177 30 00.00 EACTIVITY: ROCKET DEBRIS RETURNUSING AGENCY: ROCKET LAB LIMITED, RANGE CONTROL CENTRE, TEL +64 28 255 11638 PRESCRIBED PURSUANT TO CIVIL AVIATION RULE PART 71 UNDER A DELEGATED AUTHORITY ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATIONF) SFC G) UNLB9231/25 NOTAMNQ) NZZO/QRDCA/IV/BO /W /000/999/5603S17210E169A) NZZO B) 2512110015 C) 2512110205E) TEMPO DANGER AREA NZD099 (SOUTHEAST CAMPBELL ISLAND) IS PRESCRIBED AS FLW:ALL THAT AIRSPACE BOUNDED BY A LINE JOINING:53 36 00.00 S 174 06 00.00 E58 48 00.00 S 172 36 00.00 E58 30 00.00 S 169 54 00.00 E53 18 00.00 S 171 48 00.00 E53 36 00.00 S 174 06 00.00 EACTIVITY: ROCKET DEBRIS RETURNUSING AGENCY: ROCKET LAB LIMITED, RANGE CONTROL CENTRE, TEL +64 28 255 11638 PRESCRIBED PURSUANT TO CIVIL AVIATION RULE PART 71 UNDER A DELEGATED AUTHORITY ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATIONF) SFC G) UNL
Launch update: Our next Electron launch from LC-1 will be a dedicated mission for @kaistpr. The launch window for ‘Bridging The Swarm’ will open Thursday Dec 11 NZDT.🚀 1:45pm, Dec 11 NZDT🚀 00:45, Dec 11 UTC🚀 9:45am, Dec 11 KST🚀 7:45pm, Dec 10 ET🚀 4:45pm, Dec 10 PTFind out more: https://rocketlabcorp.com/missions/next-mission/
It’s launch day! Our next Electron mission from LC-1 is “Bridging The Swarm” for @kaistpr, scheduled for liftoff today from 1:55 pm NZDT/00:55 UTC.🚀9:55 am KST🚀7:55 pm EST🚀4:55 pm PST🚀00:55 UTC🚀1:55 pm NZDT
Electron is vertical on the pad at LC-1 and propellant loading has begun. T-4 hours to launch for @kaistpr - our 19th launch of the year and 77th Electron mission overall.Today's mission will be Electron's 19th this year, surpassing last year's record of 16 launches. Let's get into the details:⏰Launching: NET 1:55 pm NZDT🚀Launch site: LC-1 Pad A🌎Mission: Earth-observation🛰️Payload: NEONSAT-1A🎯Orbit: 540km LEOJoin the action with our live broadcast from T-20 mins: bit.ly/4rGYWSG
Rocket Lab@RocketLabWe're standing down from today's launch attempt for @kaistpr to assess sensor data, but we have plenty of back up opportunities in the coming days. New target launch date to be posted shortly🚀
Launch DetailsMission Name: BRIDGING THE SWARMLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandPlanned Launch Time: 13:55:44 [NZDT] | 00:55:44 [UTC]Planned Launch Date: Tuesday 16th December 2025 [NZDT]Backup Launch Days: 17th - 23rd December, 2025 [NZDT]
Welcome to launch day. Again!Less than 48 hours after our last Electron mission was on the pad at LC-1, this time we're ready to liftoff for @KAISTPR.🚀9:55 am KST🚀7:55 pm EST🚀4:55 pm PST🚀00:55 UTC🚀1:55 pm NZT
Rocket Lab@RocketLab·Launch technicians are the last people on Earth to touch an Electron rocket before it goes to space. When they depart the pad in preparation for liftoff, you know it's almost time to go to orbit.Your work day could look like this too. Launch Technician roles open now: https://bit.ly/48REQwl
Space Intelligence@SpaceIntel101Orbital launch no. 298 of 2025 🇳🇿🇺🇲🚀🇰🇷🛰️Bridging the Swarm | Rocket Lab | December 16 | 0055 UTC@RocketLab to launch Earth observation Neonsat-1A🛰️ for @KAISTpr/@with_KASA on its Electron🚀 to LEO (Low Earth Orbit) from LC-1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
Rocket Lab@RocketLabLOX fill is underway at Launch Complex 1 for 'Bridging The Swarm'Less than an hour until lift-off:🚀9:55 am KST🚀7:55 pm EST🚀4:55 pm PST🚀00:55 UTC🚀1:55 pm NZT
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpacefltRocket Lab confirmed during their stream from the ‘Bridging the Storm’ launch (scrubbed) that the testing I spotted today at Wallops was a WDR (Wet Dress Rehearsal), not just a cryogenic test.
Rocket Lab@RocketLabWe're standing down from today's launch attempt after an abort on ignition. As usual, we have back up opportunities in the coming days though so we'll be back with a new T-0 date shortly.
I take it that at some point in the countdown, some consumables are used up and a recycle back to 20 minutes is impossible.The NSF forum will update this thread once RL has posted a new launch date and time.Have a great day. Tony
Rocket Lab@RocketLabSafely aborting a launch after engine ignition is an advanced capability - not all rockets can do this. During today's count one of Electron's thousands of sensors noticed out-of-family data and called time on lift-off, exactly as it was designed to do. Team is working the straightforward fix now and will select a new launch date shortly.
‘The Wisdom God Guides’ mission was Rocket Lab’s 79th overall Electron mission and final scheduled launch for 2025. The next Electron launch is slated to take place in early Q1 2026.
ELECTRON IS SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH FROM LC-1 NO EARLIER THAN 13:55:39, WEDNESDAY 28TH JANUARY [NZDT]
Launch DetailsMission Name: Bridging the SwarmLaunch Site: Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New ZealandPlanned Launch Time: 13:55 [NZDT] | 00:55 [UTC]Planned Launch Date: Wednesday 28nd January 2026 [NZDT]Backup Launch Days: 29th January - 09th February, 2026 [NZDT]
Rocket Lab@RocketLab·Launch rehearsal is complete for our next Electron launch: the "Bridging The Swarm" dedicated mission for @KAISTPR, headed to a 540km low Earth orbit for the NEONSAT constellation.Launch window opens tomorrow:🚀1:55 pm NZDT, Jan 30🚀00:55 UTC, Jan 30🚀9:55 am KST, Jan 30🚀7:55 pm EST, Jan 29🚀4:55 pm PST, Jan 29
T-3 hours to liftoff for @KAISTPR. Here are the mission details for today's launch:🚀Mission Name: "Bridging The Swarm"⏰Launching: 1:55 p.m. NZDT🌎Mission: Earth-observation🛰️Payload: NEONSAT-1A🎯Orbit: 540km LEO📺Watch launch: youtube.com/watch?v=Iie55rBgwZY
Liquid oxygen loading is underway for our Electron mission for @KAISTPR. Weather is 70% favorable for launch, with upper level wind speeds a watch item for today.Webcast will be live in 15 mins https://youtube.com/watch?v=Iie55rBgwZYLiftoff set for:🚀1:55 pm NZDT🚀00:55 UTC🚀9:55 am KST🚀7:55 pm EST🚀4:55 pm PST
Peter Beck@Peter_J_Beck100% mission success!
Rocket Lab@RocketLab·MISSION SUCCESS! Payload deployment is confirmed for the ‘Bridging The Swarm’ mission for @KAISTPR.✅ 2nd launch in 8 days✅ 81st launch in total✅ 100% mission success in 2026
Rocket Lab@RocketLab·Beautiful views of Electron's 81st launch of the "Bridging The Swarm" mission for @kaistpr
Did anyone made a copy of the published «launch kit»? Thank you!
This launch missed a sun-synchronous orbit.Apogee: 552 kmPerigee: 526 kmInclination: 97.4°Assuming that an SSO is intended, it should be either at ~ 500 km height or at ~ 97.6° inclination. EO satellites usually reside at ~ 530-550 km height, therefore this looks to me like Electron missed the target inclination by 0.2 degrees.
