Carrier rocket "Proton-K" with 3 satellites launched from Baikonur
At 8:07 by Moscow time carrier rocket "Proton-K" with 3 satellites for replenishment of Russian Global Navigational System orbiting group was launched from Baikonur space center.
As Roscosmos command post informed, start was normal and on estimated time. Separation of 3 spacecrafts from acceleration unit and ascent is expected at 11:39 by Moscow time. The satellites have prolonged, 7 years exploitation term.
Within the frames of established Federal space program "GLONASS" grouping will increase to minimum necessary level of 18 spacecrafts by 2007. At present moment 14 acting satellites operate in space.
Next year apparatus of new generation "GLONASS-K" with exploitation term of 10 years will be orbited.
Use of modern satellites will provide Russian military and civil consumers at any place of the planet with navigational information and allow determination of moving and stationary objects location with high accuracy.