Russia successfully launches Glonass-M satellite
A new Glonass-M navigation satellite is now aloft, preparing to join Russia’s GLONASS constellation.
The satellite launched Dec. 11 at 11:54 Moscow time aboard a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, the Russian Ministry of Defense’s Information and Communications Department said.
The launch was initially scheduled for December 10, but was postponed for a day for technical reasons.
Glonass-M satellites form the basis of the orbital constellation of the GLONASS system. They provide navigation information and accurate time signals to land, sea, air and space consumers.
The Ministry of Defense noted that pre-launch operations and the launch of the rocket were normal. “Means of the ground-based automated spacecraft control complex of the Russian orbital group controlled the launch and flight of the rocket,” the military department said.
The Fregat booster unit was manufactured by NPO Lavochkin (part of Roscosmos State Corporation.) The Glonass-M navigation satellite was produced by ISS Reshetnev (Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems).
About the Author: Tracy Cozzens
Senior Editor Tracy Cozzens joined GPS World magazine in 2006. She also is editor of GPS World’s newsletters and the sister website Geospatial Solutions. She has worked in government, for non-profits, and in corporate communications, editing a variety of publications for audiences ranging from federal government contractors to teachers.
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