Russia plans to launch a Glonass-M navigation satellite into orbit in mid-May, local media reported Saturday.

"The launch of a Glonass-M navigation satellite has been tentatively planned in mid-May from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome for maintaining the performance of the orbital constellation," Sputnik news agency quoted a source in the aerospace industry as saying.

Currently, the Glonass constellation includes 26 satellites with 22 of them performing their intended navigation functions. However, the system needs 24 satellites to be operational to ensure global coverage, said the source.

At present, 16 out of 26 satellites of the constellation have expired, according to the source.

Glonass is a global navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces for both military and civilian use.

It is a Russian equivalent to the U.S. Global Positioning System and China's BeiDou navigation system, providing real-time positioning and speed data for land, sea and airborne receivers worldwide.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Related Links
Glonass
GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

GPS 3 space vehicle 02 "Magellan" arrives in Florida; prepares for July launch
Cape Canaveral AFS FL (SPX) Mar 24, 2019
The U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center's Global Positioning Systems Directorate achieved another major program milestone March 19, successfully delivering the second GPS III Space Vehicle to Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Florida to begin satellite launch processing. "The shipment of this second GPS III satellite is once again an excellent representation of the collaborative effort and increasing efficiencies of SMC's push towards rapid acquisitions and operations of spac ... read more