MOSCOW. Dec 4 (Interfax-AVN) - Six Glonass-M new-generation navigation satellites will be launched in 2007, Director General/Designer General of the Zheleznogorsk-based Applied Mechanics Research and Production Association (NPO PM) Nikolai Testoyedov said.
"NPO PM plans to launch six Glonass-M satellites in 2007, bringing the GLONASS orbital force up to 18 spacecraft, which will satisfy the needs of most customers," Testoyedov said in an interview with the Aviapanorama magazine, published in its December issue.
According to Testoyedov, as compared with Glonass satellites, new-generation Glonass-M spacecraft feature a service life of up to seven years, a 2.5-fold greater navigation precision, and other improved characteristics.
Testoyedov noted that Glonass-K satellites, being developed, were expected to have a service life of up to ten or more years. They will feature a third L-band frequency. In addition to that their navigation accuracy will also be improved, as compared with that of Glonass-M satellites. At the same time the Glonass-K will have half the weight of the Glonass-M, which will result in reducing launch costs. Glonass-K satellites will also be fitted with additional hardware, enabling the GLONASS system to be employed in S&R operations.
According to Testoyedov, the GLONASS orbital force of 18 spacecraft will provide a non-stop navigation coverage of entire Russia. The GLONASS orbital force will be reinforced up to 24 satellites in 2009.
Modernization of the GLONASS ground-based control system is expected to be completed in 2011, with the orbital force to include only new Glonass-M and Glonass-K satellites by that time.