Russia Completes the Deployment of GLONASS network
GLONASS (Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema or Global Navigation Satellite System) is a radio-based satellite navigation system operated for the Russian Government by the Russian Space Forces. It is an alternative and complement to the United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS), the Chinese Compass navigation system and the planned Galileo positioning system of the European Union.
The development of the GLONASS had begun by the Soviet Union in late seventies. From 12 October 1982 onwards, numerous rocket launches added satellites to the system until the “constellation” was completed in 1995. Following completion, the system fell into disrepair with the collapse of the Russian economy. In the early 2000s, under Vladimir Putin’s presidency, the restoration of the system was made a top government priority and funding was substantially increased.
GLONASS is currently the most expensive program of the Russian Federal Space Agency, consuming a third of its budget in 2010. By 2010, GLONASS had achieved 100% coverage of Russia’s territory and in October 2011, the full orbital constellation of 24 satellites was restored, enabling full global coverage. The GLONASS satellites designs have undergone several upgrades, with the latest version being GLONASS-K.
- GLONASS is a global satellite navigation system, providing real time position and velocity determination for military and civilian users.
GLONASS’ orbit makes it especially suited for usage in northern latitudes, where getting a GPS signal can be problematic
It was recently reported in the media that now; Russia has finished the deployment of GLONASS. Please note that there are 28 Glonass satellites in orbit.
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Month: Current Affairs - December, 2011