ROSCOSMOS - GLONASS patch.
May 29, 2016
Launch of Russian Soyuz carrying a Glonass-M navsat #53 from Plesetsk
A Russian Soyuz 2-1B has launched the latest GLONASS-M Global Navigation satellite from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Launch occurred from Pad 43/4 at the spaceport, with T-0 reported as 08:44 UTC on Sunday. The spacecraft was launched with the designation of Glonass n°53, ahead of being renamed Kosmos-2516 once operational in orbit. Spacecraft separation occurred at 12:16 UTC.
Launch of Soyuz 2-1b configuration with a Fregat upper stage carrying Glonass M
The Russian GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System – operated by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces – is currently the only global alternative to the American GPS fleet in operation that has global coverage of comparable precision.
Development of GLONASS began in the Soviet Union in 1976. By the turn of the decade, GLONASS had achieved 100 percent coverage, with the full orbital constellation of 24 satellites operational in 2011.
Glonass M navigation satellite
The K Series are an advanced improvement of the previous M second-generation satellites, with longer lifespans and better accuracy. Based on the Ekspress-1000A bus, the satellite utilizes L-Band navigation signals. Those satellites will be eventually replaced by operational K series satellites, known as GLONASS K-2.
Sunday’s launch involves a spacecraft from the GLONASS-M range, named GLONASS-M n°53. It follows on from a previous GLONASS-M launch in February.
For more information about GLONASS network, visit: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/uragan.html
Images, Video, Text, Credits: ROSCOSMOS/Nasaspaceflight.com/Chris Bergin.
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