New Antarctic antenna GLONASS and the status of the navigation system

on Monday (the day before) the head of Roshydromet (Alexander Frolov) has declared to journalists that in February (about a month ago) at Novolazarevskaya station (Antarctica, on the right in the photo) has been installed (Roscosmos) special antenna, which will allow you to adjust the operation of the satellites of the Russian GLONASS satellite navigation system and improve its accuracy. He also explained that Russia could not see all satellites, and this antenna will allow you to track those spacecraft that are visible only in the Western hemisphere.

RIA Novosti, posting words Frolov, added that in 2010 the orbital grouping of the GLONASS system is planned to be increased to full strength (24 satellites), as well as create the necessary reserve of the spacecraft.

Take a look at official data on the composition of the group (in the case of garraffello will fit the duplicate Coral CDN or peeep-the cast). You will see immediately that the planned actions are executed: in the third orbital plane two satellites sent into orbit reserve spacecraft, their place remains vacant for a while. New satellites, three launched from Baikonur in early March, is also intended to take their places on that plane; thus, after a few weeks the third plane of the GLONASS will be not just filled to the brim with satellites, but with the necessary reserve vehicles.

But now on the third plane lacks three consecutive working satellites: the former withdrawn into reserve, and a new one commissioned. This shortage leads to the fact that in most of the world navigation signal GLONASS available no more than 80% -90% of the time during the day.

Here's how it looks on a map:


It is nice to know it's not too long before.

Article based on information from habrahabr.ru