Article Posted on : - Aug 01, 2011

A file phto of Soyuz-U rocket launching the Soyuz 19 mission.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has planned to launch three rockets (LV) from its Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan in August including GLONASS, Russian media report.

According to ARMS-TASS, Russian Federal Space Agency will launch the rocket Proton-M from the center on August 18, which will orbit a Russian communications satellite 'Express-AM4'.

On August 24, Soyuz-U will be launched to transport cargo vehicle ‘Progress M-12M’ to the International Space Station.

The Glonass-M navigation satellite will be orbited by the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket after its launch on August 25 from the Plesetsk Space Center, Russia.

By the end of 2011, the space agency has planned to fully form the constellation of the GLONASS system.

GLONASS-K is the first Russian-made on-hermetically-sealed navigation satellite, with a 10-year service life. It masses 935 kilograms (the older model's weight reaches 1,415 kilograms) and boasts better navigational sighting as it has a third frequency in L-band. Also, it carries equipment of the international KOSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue system.

Currently, there are 27 satellites in the GLONASS system as of now, of which 20 are in dedicated use, two are in reserve and four are out of operation for maintenance, according to the Central Research Institute of Machine Building.