GLONASSsatelliidiga

GLONASS, which stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, is a Russian satellite navigation system similar to the Global Positioning System (GPS) operated by the United States. It provides an alternative to GPS for global positioning and timing services. The system consists of 24 satellites in three orbital planes, with each plane containing eight satellites. These satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of approximately 19,100 kilometers, completing two orbits per day.

GLONASS was developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and was initially known as Uragan. The system was designed to provide accurate positioning and timing information for military and civilian use. The first GLONASS satellite was launched in 1982, and the system became fully operational in 1995. However, due to funding issues and technical problems, the system's availability and accuracy were not always reliable.

In 2011, the Russian government announced a modernization program for GLONASS, which aimed to improve the system's accuracy and reliability. The modernization program included the launch of new satellites with improved features and the development of new ground infrastructure. As of 2021, GLONASS is fully operational and provides global coverage, with a reported accuracy of about 7.6 meters. The system is used for a variety of applications, including navigation, surveying, and scientific research. GLONASS is also used by the Russian military for positioning and timing services.