Russia launches global positioning satellite

On December 25, a Russian missile launched into orbit three satellites of global positioning satellite system (GLONASS), bringing the total number of GLONASS satellites launched into orbit to 14.

Itar-Tass news agency quoted Alexei Kuznetsov, the spokesperson for the Russian Space Agency, said the Proton-K rocket carried three GLONASS satellites leaving the launch pad at Baikonur space airport in Kazakhstan at 8 o'clock 07 am local time (05:07 international time). These satellites were then separated from the rocket and into their orbit.

' The trio of satellites includes an old satellite with a three-year service period and two new-generation satellites GLONASS-M with better technical equipment and service for 7 years ', the transmitter said the press of the Russian Space Agency.

GLONASS satellite group is a federal space program adopted by the Russian government. GLONASS is designed to provide information to users of navigation systems on the sea, in the air, in space and on the ground in any location around the globe.

So far, 14 GLONASS satellites have been launched into orbit. It is expected that this system will have at least 18 satellites in 2007.