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.
For further information
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