Russia launched three Glonass-M navigational satellites on a Proton robotic rocket that soared on Christmas from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Itar-Tass reported.

That brings the total number of Glonass satellites to 20 in the navigational system, which will compete with the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS. Glonass needs 24 birds for full global coverage.

It will take 45 days to bring the latest three Glonass satellites to full operation.

As well, Europe is orbiting the Galileo navigational system constellation of satellites.