Glonass-K2 satellites to be launched starting in 2019 - Rogozin
NOVO-OGARYOVO. April 24 (Interfax) - The Glonass satellite navigation network is running with a full complement, and next-generation satellites will be put into orbit starting next year, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told President Vladimir Putin at a meeting.
"We plan launches of next-generation [satellites], Glonass-K2, starting in 2019. These are high-precision satellites based on improved mathematics. We are thus improving the quality of navigation signal on your orders," Rogozin said. A verbatim report of the meeting was published on the Kremlin website.
Twenty-five Glonass satellites are currently in orbit, he said.
"It [the cluster] is operating with a full complement - 24 vehicles, including 23 previous-generation Glonass-M satellites and one next-generation Glonass-K. One satellite is on standby," Rogozin said.
Six satellites are in storage on Earth. They can be launched to replenish the orbital group if necessary, he said.
Putin asked Rogozin how long the satellites had been in orbit. Their service life is seven years, but they actually work longer, Rogozin said.
"This is why, the ground storage is bigger than planned: there is no need to replace anything," he said.