Tags: Glonass Soyuz, Satellite Launch, Russia
Publication: ZeeNews.com
Publication Date: 12/04/2012

Model of Russia’s Next-Generation Glonass-K Satellite displayed on CeBit 2011. Image credit: Tanalahy

After embezzlement scandals, Russia delayed the launch of its second Glonass-K satellite until 2013. However, government officials reported that the postponement was due to technical defects in the Fregat booster built by the Lavochkin space company, not by the scandal.

A Soyuz-2.1b rocket will still launch the satellite from the Plesetsk space center but the new launch date has not been released. Officials said the date will be decided during a state commission meeting after the defects have been corrected.

Once launched, the second Glonass-K will be performing in-orbit tests until it becomes operational in 2015. There are 31 Glonass satellites currently in orbit to provide global coverage. This network of satellites is expected to cost Russia approximately $12 billion on maintenance and further developments between 2012 and 2020. Russia is also planning to build eight Proto-M and 11 Soyuz-2.1b rockets to carry the future Glonass satellites.

Last month, fraud allegations submerged around the Glonass project, which caused its chief designer’s layoff. The claims indicate that since 2010, officials embezzled approximately $200 million of the program’s funds.

 Full story