Russia’s navigation network receives new satellite

A Glonass navigation satellite blasted off Sunday aboard a Soyuz rocket, reaching an orbit nearly 12,000 miles above Earth to join Russia’s fleet of positioning, navigation and timing spacecraft. The new Glonass M satellite, designated No. 53 in the navigation system, launched at 0844 GMT (4:44 a.m. EDT) Sunday from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in far northern Russia. A Soyuz-2.1b rocket boosted the 1,415-kilogram (3,119-pound) satellite and a Fregat upper stage to space in less than nine minutes, then the Fregat’s main engine took over for a pair of maneuvers to guide the Glonass M craft into a circular orbit more than 19,100 kilometers (about 11,900 miles) above Earth. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Jun 2)