Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 2 in VIrginia on January 24, 2022. Photo: Rocket Lab/Brady Kenniston

Rocket Lab has signed a new launch deal in Asia. The company will send an Earth Observation (EO) satellite for the for the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) into orbit on a rideshare mission in the first half of 2024. The deal was announced, Nov. 7.

KAIST’s NeonSat-1 will be the primary payload on an Electron rideshare mission that will also deploy NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, or ACS3 satellite. NeonSat-1 is a high-resolution optical satellite that will be deployed as a technology demonstration for a planned future EO constellation. KAIST is Korea’s leading science and technology institution, having developed and operated Korea’s very first satellite KAIST when it was successfully launched more than 30 years ago.

“2024 is shaping up to be our busiest launch year yet with a fully booked manifest of Electron missions. By combining this mission with the launch of NASA’s ACS3 spacecraft, we’ve been able to provide KAIST with a launch opportunity on short notice to help them reach orbit faster. It’s a privilege to be working with the KAIST team and we are thrilled to be providing them with timely and affordable launch services on Electron,” Peter Beck , Rocket Lab founder and CEO, said in a statement.

Rocket Lab is currently working on getting its Electron rocket back to the launch pad, with its final launch of 2023 slated for next week.