Russia plans to launch five Glonass communication satellites in 2011 and 48 more later to create a Cosmonaut information highway, local media reported Wednesday.

There are 20 of 26 Glonass satellites in orbit offering services. The latest launch of three Glonass satellites on Dec. 5 failed as the carrier rocket crashed in the Pacific Ocean.

Officials said two more satellites are needed to secure the signals to cover the Russian territory.

Russia is also going to develop the Gonets 48-satellite system designed for high-speed communications, its chief designer Alexander Galkevich told Interfax news agency.

The Gonets satellites will be a part of the Cosmonaut global communication system. Galkevich said the system would pay off in 10 years.

Galkevich said the system would require 20 billion rubles (650 million U.S. dollars) to become operational in five years time.

The Cosmonaut system will be developed by the U.S. Loral company if approved by the Russian Space Agency, or Roscosmos. Roscosmos must decide whether foreign companies could participate in developing the system.

Source: Xinhua News Agency