Deployment of Russia’s Glonass satellite navigation system is to be accelerated, providing worldwide operation by 2009 instead of 2012. After the launch of three Glonass satellites in December, a Russia-wide service will be available by the end of 2007. “It is possible to [accelerate] this without huge additional spending. In 2006 it is necessary to allocate just $1.5 billion so that we can keep to the schedule,” says Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov. More funds will be needed in 2007 and 2008. The defence ministry is working with the Federal Space Agency and ground-segment suppliers to accomplish the acceleration. Russia plans to make Glonass available for public use.
Source: Flight International
