Electron • ‘Bridging the Swarm’

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched a technology demonstration satellite for the Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC) at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The Neonsat-1A is an Earth observation satellite designed as a precursor to KAIST’s Neonate constellation, which is described as being “Designed to capture near-real time natural disaster monitoring for the Korean peninsula.” It was deployed into a circular low Earth orbit at 540 km (336 mi) at an inclination of 97.4 degrees. Scrubbed attempt on Dec. 10/11. Launch aborted Dec. 15/16 after engine ignition, but before liftoff.