Failed Glonass-M satellites launch not to affect operation of navigation system

The failed launch of three Glonass-M satellites will not affect the operation of the navigation system, a communications industry source told Itar-Tass. "There'll be no consequences / of the failed launch of the satellites/. The system operates normally; satellites are gradually replaced," the expert said adding that four reserve satellites are currently in orbit. A Proton-M booster carrying three Glonass-M satellites met with an accident on Tuesday morning immediately after the launch from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Currently, the cluster of GLONASS satellites comprises 29 units, of which 23 are in dedicated use. One satellite is undergoing maintenance, one is being tested and four make the reserve. Glonass-M is a 2nd generation spacecraft of Russia's global satellite navigation system, produced by the Reshetnev information satellite systems JSC. Its service life is seven years, compared with just three years of the 1st generation unit. Glonass-M transmits two signals for civilian consumers which considerably enhances the point positioning accuracy.