Acoustic Tests On New Glonass-K Satellite Completed

Acoustic tests on a new generation Glonass-K navigation satellite have been completed at a plant in southern Russia.

"These types of experimental tests were carried out to confirm the resilience of the Glonass-K satellite to the acoustic pressure which will be applied on it when it is orbited," a statement by the plant said. "The tests were successful."

The Glonass-K, a new generation satellite navigation system, is set for launch later this year.

The satellite is operable for 10 years.

Glonass - the Global Navigation Satellite System - is the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System
, or GPS, and is designed for both military and civilian use. Both systems allow users to determine their positions to within a few meters.

Russia currently has a total of 22 Glonass-M satellites in orbit, but only 16 of them are operational. The system requires 18 operational satellites for continuous navigation services covering the entire territory of Russia and at least 24 satellites to provide navigation services worldwide.