Russian President Vladimir Putin (right), Rosoboronexport general director Sergey Chemezov (center) and Russian First Vice Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov at the 8th International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS-2007)
Photo: Dmitry Dukhanin
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Sergey Ivanov Says GLONASS Obsolete
First Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov told Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) leaders on January 23 that accuracy of the Global Navigational System, a Russian Federal Target Program, does not meet modern standards. He also noted that “The composition of the orbital group still does not ensure access to GLONASS service on 100 percent of the territory of the country.” He added that Roscosmos leaders were personally responsible for the shortcomings of the system, which was launched in November of last year.
Ivanov said that a number of changes will be made to the GLONASS program with the goal of bringing the system up to competitive standards. He did not elaborate on those changes. The technical specifications of the system and the GLONASS-K space apparatus have yet to be conciliated between Roscosmos and the Defense Ministry and have not been approved by the Defense Ministry.
There are 18 GLONASS satellites in orbit at present. Another six satellites are planned for launch this year. The system is scheduled to begin full-scale operations in February of this year, at which time it will cover 95 percent of Russia.
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