A Russian rocket successfully delivered three GLONASS-M satellites into orbit on September 25. The new satellites are expected to become operational within 45 days after launch.
These three new satellites join the thirteen satellites already orbiting the earth in the GLONASS constellation. A further launch of three more GLONASS-M satellites is scheduled for December 25, 2008.
Russian diplomats are currently negotiating the joint use of GLONASS with Cuba and Venezuela to establish ground monitoring stations outside the Russian territory and improve the accuracy of GLONASS.
