Article Posted on : - Oct 03, 2011

A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian space agency has launched Soyuz-2.1B carrier rocket with the Glonass-M navigation satellite on Sunday, a media report said.

According to RIA Novosti, the satellite was launched at 20:15 (GMT) from the Plesetsk Space Center in northern Russia.

The launch which was earlier scheduled for Saturday was postponed due to the unfavourable climatic conditions.

The Glonass launch was intended to complete Russia's global navigation satellite system for civilian and military use.

Currently, there are 27 satellites in the GLONASS system as of now, of which 20 are in dedicated use, two are in reserve and four are out of operation for maintenance, according to the Central Research Institute of Machine Building.