GLONASS-M Satellite: Russia

In news:

Russia has successfully launched a Glonass-M positioning satellite using a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from Plesetsk space center. With this launch, there are now 26 Glonass satellites in orbit.

 

About GLONASS:

GLONASS is an acronym, which stands for Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, or Global Navigation Satellite System. GLONASS is Russia’s version of GPS (Global Positioning System).

 

Versions of GLONASS:

• GLONASS – launched in 1982, the satellites launched were intended to work for weather positioning, velocity measuring and timing anywhere in the world or near-Earth space by the military and official organisations.
• GLONASS-M – launched in 2003 add second civil code. It is important for GIS mapping receivers.
• GLONASS-k – started in 2011 again has 3 more types namely k1, k2 and km for research. Adds third civil frequency.
• GLONASS-K2.
• GLONASS-KM – will be launched after 2025 (currently in research phase).

 

How is GLONASS different from GPS?

• GPS developed by USA has a network of 31 satellites covering this planet and has been widely used in commercial devices like mobile phones, navigators etc.
• GLONASS is developed by Russia originally started by Soviet Union in 1976. This has a network of 24 satellites covering the earth.

 

List of Global Navigation Satellite Systems:

• GPS of the United States of America.
• Galileo of the European Union.
• IRNSS or NAVIC of India.
• Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) of Japan.

 

Sources: the hindu.