Russian satellites to compete with GPS
Source: Agencies |
December 6, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RUSSIA launched its final three GLONASS-M satellites into orbit yesterday, completing a new satellite navigation system meant to compete with the widespread United States GPS network, Russia's space agency Roscosmos announced in a statement.
The satellites were carried into space by the "Proton-M" rocket carrier, which blasted off early yesterday from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Roscosmos said.
Russia has been developing GLONASS, its answer to the US Global Positioning System, since 1976. The state has spent US$2 billion in the last 10 years on the project and the system, consisting of 24 satellites and several reserve satellites, is expected to be fully operational by the end of January 2011.
"Once the satellites are put into operation, a continuous global navigation signal from Russia's satellites will be available to customers from any point on the earth's surface," said GLONASS chief engineer Yuri Urlichich.
Russia and other emerging countries like India are keen to develop GLONASS to lessen dependence on GPS.
But analysts say GLONASS is not as effective as GPS and so measures will be introduced to make it cheaper and therefore more attractive for Russians to use, for example by imposing a tariff of up to 25 percent on GPS equipment from January 1.
Russian officials say imports using GLONASS would remain duty-free. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in August that all new cars sold in Russia from 2012 could have GLONASS installed.
The satellites were carried into space by the "Proton-M" rocket carrier, which blasted off early yesterday from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Roscosmos said.
Russia has been developing GLONASS, its answer to the US Global Positioning System, since 1976. The state has spent US$2 billion in the last 10 years on the project and the system, consisting of 24 satellites and several reserve satellites, is expected to be fully operational by the end of January 2011.
"Once the satellites are put into operation, a continuous global navigation signal from Russia's satellites will be available to customers from any point on the earth's surface," said GLONASS chief engineer Yuri Urlichich.
Russia and other emerging countries like India are keen to develop GLONASS to lessen dependence on GPS.
But analysts say GLONASS is not as effective as GPS and so measures will be introduced to make it cheaper and therefore more attractive for Russians to use, for example by imposing a tariff of up to 25 percent on GPS equipment from January 1.
Russian officials say imports using GLONASS would remain duty-free. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in August that all new cars sold in Russia from 2012 could have GLONASS installed.
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