Russians to launch GLONASS in 2007

GLONASS, the acronym for Global Navigation Satellite System, was developed during Soviet times as a response to the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS. The system originally had 24 satellites, but their number dwindled after the 1991 Soviet collapse.


Topcon company already uses GLONASS

Thanks to Russia's booming oil revenues, the government has earmarked funds to revive the system to its full strength and offer it to global consumers. Officials said that at least 18 satellites were necessary to provide navigation services over the entire Russian territory, and promised to make it fully operational later this year.

"I hope that our navigation system will start working in 2007," Putin was quoted as saying.

Russian officials said that the system would be available worldwide by the end of 2009, for which it would need to have 24 satellites.

There are 19 GLONASS satellites currently in orbit, but only eight are in working condition, according to a statement posted on the Mission Control's site. Another three satellites launched in December are about to enter service, it said. Russia plans to launch another six GLONASS satellites later this year.

Sergei Ivanov, the first deputy prime minister overseeing high-tech and military industries, said China had voiced interest in joint production of GLONASS positioning devices. He added that some nations, including several unnamed Persian Gulf states, had already voiced interest in using the Russian system.

According to RIA-Novosti, 9.88 billion rubles (US$379.7 million; €284.38 million) has been allocated for GLONASS from the federal budget in 2007, more than double the amount for 2006.

News source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/29/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-Space.php

Image source: http://www.topcon.com.au/gps/GPSGLONASS.htm