&host=www.rt.com&uri=/news/sci-tech/glonass-proton-launch-satellite/&via=1.1 204.160.103.19:80 (Footprint 4.8/FPMCP)&ua=CCBot/1.0 (+http://www.commoncrawl.org/bot.html))
GLONASS now covers all of Russia
Published: 14 December, 2009, 14:53
Edited: 03 March, 2010, 23:33
TAGS: Military, Space, Russia, SciTech, Gizmos
A Proton rocket carrying three satellites for Russia's navigation system GLONASS, which will enable the system to cover all of Russia, has been launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Another nine GLONASS satellites will be launched into orbit in 2010, according to the head of Russia's space agency, and those will give GLONASS global coverage.
The system will be used by both the military and civilians.
A feature especially relevant after the recent bombing of Moscow-Saint Petersburg train is that GLONASS could be used to prevent terror attacks on railroads.
It could scan areas for suspicious movements and objects.
For now, the most famous GLONASS user is Vladimir Putin's Labrador Koni, who has the chip built into her dog collar.
The editor of Space News magazine Pavel Sharov told RT that right now there are 19 satellites in orbit. By the end of 2010, GLONASS will become a full alternative to the GPS system.
“There are no advantages of GLONASS over GPS, but users will benefit from using both systems simultaneously because of the increased capability and authenticity of the received signal,” he said.
Patrick Fullick, founder and president of “Science Connections”, told RT about the importance of the new positioning system in a live interview from London.
Fullick said that GLONASS and GPS systems are very similar, but at the same time can be used to complement each other. The Russian satellites are placed in lower orbits and in slightly different configurations, which allows precise measurements in places where GPS is not so effective.
He also noted that independence from GPS is strategically important for Russia, especially for the Russian military. However, the use of the system can be used in almost all areas of life – from extreme sports to agriculture.
14.12.2009, 10:53
2 comments
Russia’s young at massive risk of heart attackThe rate of heart attacks in young Russian men has increased tenfold in just twenty years. The recent death of a 22-year-old movie star, caused by heart failure, has highlighted the serious nature of the condition. |
15.12.2009, 17:39
Ancestors’ carnivorous habits made us outlive apesA genetic adaptation to increasing the consumption of raw meat by ancient humans may have given us protection from age diseases. Puzzlingly, a variant of the same gene can be rather more harmful than beneficial. |
Well done to all those involved! Now if the reporters could become even remotely knowledgeable about the subject they are writing about. The statement about tracking objects to prevent terror cannot possibly be true. The optics required to observe a 30cm object from 19,000km would have to be rather massive and occupy space need for the transmitting antenna array and associated circuitry. I could see a small detector similar to what the GPS system has (or had) for ballistic missle launch detections. Additionally, who would review all that imagery in a timely manner?
It is clear that this technology has the potential to make Russia much securer and safer. Russia is a massive country and it needs this technology urgently. Let us hope that unlawful surveillance capacity this technology against law abiding Russian citizens will be wisely regulated and delimited.
Better to do our thinking in the clouds, and our watching in the air. Now take our hand, so we may find our way across this vast space, which is our home.