[IGLOSMAIL-192] Possible News on Future of GLONASS

["Slater, James A. " <SlaterJ @ nima.mil>]

******************************************************************************
IGLOS Electronic Mail      26 Jan 14:29:00 PST 2001   Message Number 192
******************************************************************************

Author: Jim Slater

The news article below was published in "Space News" on 27 November 2000.
We will have to see whether the plans described in this article become
reality, but I thought it would be of interest to the IGLOS community.



Restoring GLONASS

     Russia plans to launch six satellites next year to replenish 
the depleted GLONASS. The launches will boost the number 
of functioning satellites from 11 to 17. To be fully functional, 
GLONASS needs 18 to 24 operational satellites.
     Russia is developing longer-lasting satellites that could ease 
the burden of replenishing the constellation. The GLONASS-M 
is designed to last five to seven years. The current generation of 
GLONASS spacecraft was designed to last three years. The first 
GLONASS-M satellite will enter service in 2002, assuming 
the development project is adequately funded. Another pro-
posed GLONASS variant, GLONASS-K, is designed to last 
10 years. GLONASS-K satellites is slated for introduction in 
2004. GLONASS-K spacecraft also would weigh half as much 
as the current-generation satellites, allowing up to six to be 
launched on a single Proton rocket. [Space News 11/27/00] 

 
............................................................................
.........................
JIM SLATER        (301)227-4549      Fax: (301)227-4749     E-mail:
slaterj @ nima.mil
NIMA,GICS, MS D-68, 4600 Sangamore Rd., Bethesda, MD 20816-5003, U.S.A.

"The sooner you fall behind the more time you'll have to catch up."