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Russian rocket takes three navigation satellites into space
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    • MOSCOW (AFP) Dec 25, 2005
     A Russian Proton-K rocket blasted off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan early Sunday carrying three GLONASS navigation satellites, space officials said.

    One of the satellites is from an older generation, while the other two are of the new GLONASS-M type, the ITAR-TASS news agency said.

    The GLONASS global navigation system was developed by the Russian army in the 1980s and is the country's equivalant to the US GPS system or Europe's Galileo. But its development has been slowed by funding shortages.

    When the three satellites are placed in orbit, Russia will have 17 GLONASS satellites operating.




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