Glonass-K Successfully Reached the Targeted Orbital Destination

GLONASS patch.

26.02.2011

Russia launched a new Glonass-K1 navigation satellite from Plesetsk space center atop Soyuz-2.1b with Fregat upper stage on February 26.

The first new-generation satellite Glonass-K of the GLONASS navigation system has been successfully put into the targeted orbit.

The Soyuz rocket which was lifted off from Plesetsk at 06:07 Moscow time successfully carried the satellite with the Fregat booster to orbit. It reached the planned orbit at 09:41 Moscow time. The satellite separated from the booster as planned.

GLONASS Russian GPS Constellation

High-tech Glonass-K satellite reached its intended orbit about four hours after blasting off on top a Soyuz-2 rocket from Russia's northern Plesetsk launchpad.

"We have established and are maintaining steady telemetry communications with the spacecraft," a spokesman for the Defence Ministry's Space Forces told the Interfax news agency.

Glonass-K satellite

"The on-board systems of the Glonass-K satellite are functioning normally," the official said.

The Glonass-K, which has a service life of 10 years, will beam five navigation signals - four in the special L1 and L2 bands and one for civilian applications in the L3 band.

Images, Video, Text, Credits: Roscosmos PAO / Россия 24.

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