GLONASS-M satellite shipped to Cosmodrome for launch

The Russian navigation satellite GLONASS-M 52 has traveled from ISS-Reshetnev Company’s facilities in Zheleznogorsk to the Plesetsk launch site, reported ISS-Reshnetev on Aug. 25.

GLONASS-M 52 is one of the GLONASS system’s ground spares. It was built by ISS-Reshetnev Company more than two years ago and was stored at the company’s facilities waiting for launch.

Before flying to the cosmodrome, GLONASS-M 52 was thoroughly tested and prepared for transportation. ISS-Reshetnev technicians used multi-layer insulation and special cases to protect the satellite’s sensitive equipment from damage during transport.

GLONASS-M 52 was loaded in a special container and flown to the Plesetsk cosmodrome on an IL-76 aircraft accompanied by ISS-Reshetnev specialists. The satellite is due to launch in September.

There are currently six GLONASS-M satellites in the ground reserve of the GLONASS navigation satellite system. All of them were constructed by ISS-Reshetnev Company in strict compliance with contract terms and are now stored at its facilities.

Each of these satellites is on standby for launch and can be shipped to the cosmodrome whenever needed to augment the GLONASS orbital constellation.

GLONASS-M 52 will replace a retired long-lived satellite that carried out its mission in orbit 1.5 times longer than initially designed.

GLONASS-M 52 is expected to launch in September. (Photo: ISS-Reshetnev)