Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Russia Successfully Launched Glonass-M Satellite using Soyuz-2.1b Carrier Rocket
Russia Successfully Launched Glonass-M Satellite using Soyuz-2.1b Carrier Rocket
Russia has successfully launched Glonass-M positioning satellite on board of Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket on 17th June 2018 from the Plesetsk space centre in Mirny, Arkhangelsk Oblast.
The satellite is part of GLONASS network GLONASS (Russian acronym for Global Navigation Satellite System) which provides real-time positioning data for surface, sea and airborne objects around the globe, at accuracy reportedly at par with US Global Positioning System (GPS).
With this new launch, there are now total 26 Glonass satellites in orbit.
About Glonass-M Satellite
Glonass-M satellite was built by Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems (formerly NPO-PM). It has a design life of 7 years which is significantly higher than that of the previous generation of Glonass satellites.
Glonass-M satellite is about 2.4* 3.7 meters in size with solar array span of 7.2 meters. It has two deployable solar arrays which provide 1600 watts of electrical power. The heart of the satellite is Caesium atomic clock that provides accurate timing reference needed to generate navigation data.
About Glonass
Glonass is Russian Satellite Navigation System considered as a counterpart to GPS of US, Galileo of European Union (EU) and Beidou of China. It is being used by the military as well as commercial customers. It provides real-time position and velocity determination at an accuracy that can be compared to that of GPS. It has an accuracy of 100 meters as part of public segment and 10 to 20 meters for military users
