RSS Delivers First Glonass Satellite to Khrunichev

[Satellite TODAY 07-29-10] Russian Space Systems (RSS) has delivered the first of three Glonass-M satellites to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Khrunichev announced July 28.
    Khrunichev has begun testing the first satellite, and the others are scheduled to arrive at Khrunichev facilities in late August. All three satellites are scheduled to be launched on a Proton rocket Sept. 2.
    Khrunichev also confirmed that the Proton rocket that will be used to launch the Glonass satellites was damaged in a rail incident on the way to Baikonur. The rocket is being examined to see if it is flight-worthy. Khrunichev said a reserve rocket, already dispatched to Baikonur, would be used as a substitute if the damage were substantial.
   The Russian government has begun construction on the new Glonass Information and Analytical Center. The building will house both an information technology office and satellite navigation agency for the United Nations. Construction is expected to be complete by 2013.