Soyuz Booster Launches Glonass-M Navigation Satellite

MOSCOW (Roscosmos PR) — On March 16, 2020, at 18:28 UTC a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket equipped with a Fregat booster manufactured by NPO Lavochkin (part of Roscosmos) launched successfully from Plesetsk cosmodrome carrying a Glonass-M navigational satellite manufactured by ISS Reshetnev company. The satellite separated routinely from the booster after three Fregat booster service propulsion unit burns.

Glonass-M satellites make up the base of the GLONASS system orbital group. They transmit navigational information and time data to the ground, maritime, air and space customers.

Fregat booster ensures injecting one or several spacecraft into Earth’s orbit or into deep space. The whole injection process is carried out autonomously. A highest reliability and almost ideal injection accuracy make the booster unmatched by the world’s competitors. This launch was the 80th for the booster.