The new GLONASS Antarctic antenna and the state of the navigation system

On Monday (the day before), the head of Roshydromet (Alexander Frolov) told reporters that in February (about a month ago ) a special antenna was installed (together with Roscosmos) in Novolazarevskaya station (in Antarctica, pictured on the right) , which will allow you to adjust the satellites GLONASS Russian navigation system and increase its accuracy. He also explained that not all satellites are visible from the territory of Russia, and this antenna will allow you to monitor those spacecraft that are visible only in the western hemisphere.

RIA Novosti, having published the words of Frolov , adds that in 2010 the orbital constellation of the GLONASS system is planned to be brought up to its nominal strength (24 satellites), as well as to create the necessary reserve of spacecraft.

Take a look at the official information about the composition of the group (in the case of the Habra effect, a copy of the information in the Coral CDN or peeep-slap will fit ). You will see immediately that the planned actions are being implemented: on the third orbital plane, two satellites are sent to the orbital reserve of spacecraft, their place remains vacant for a short time. The new satellites, the three of them launched from Baikonur in early March , are also intended to take their places on this plane; Thus, in a few weeks, the third GLONASS plane will not only be filled with satellites to the top, but also equipped with the necessary reserve of devices.

But right now, on a third plane, three rows of working satellites are missing: the former are put into reserve, and the new ones have not yet been put into operation. This shortcoming leads to the fact that in most of the world the GLONASS navigation signal is available no more than 80% -90% of the time during the day.

Here's what it looks like on a geographic map:


It's nice to know that it won't last too long yet.