Article Posted on : - Sep 07, 2010

A Russian Rokot carrier rocket which will be use put a Gonets-M satellite into orbit.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia will launch a Rokot carrier rocket from its Plesetsk space center on September 8 to put a Gonets-M satellite into orbit, a media report said.

According to RIA Novosti, the satellite will be a part of Russia's large-scale Glonass satellite navigation system.

GLONASS – Global Navigation Satellite System – is an alternative and complementary system to the US’ Global Positioning System, China’s Compass navigation system and the planned Galileo positioning system of the European Union.

Currently, Russia has 26 Glonass satellite into orbit, in which two are not functional.

Designed for both military and civilian purposes, GLONASS enables its users to determine their positions within a few meters.

The system requires 18 satellites for continuous navigation services covering the entire Russian Federation and 24 satellites to provide services worldwide.