GLONASS: the end of the connection

Patriotic global positioning system were missing three satellites, which sank in the Pacific Ocean. Because of this, the formation of GLONASS as planned deferred until the placing in orbit of new vehicles. December 5, was scheduled to complete the formation of GLONASS by placing in orbit three satellites Glonass-M. Rocket Proton-M rocket with devices launched from Baikonur at 13:25 on Sunday, it was planned that at 16:27 the task is completed and GLONASS will cover the entire world. But after the separation of Block DM-3, which were satellites, telemetry communication with him was lost. Initially, the loss of connection explained by the fact that the satellites were out of radio visibility of Russian control, but the link does not appear, and later, when the devices hit the "visible" area. As later explained to the press, is an emergency situation has occurred because, at the output stage booster Proton-M "deviated from the target rate of 8 degrees, with the result that he fell into the suborbital area instead of low-Earth orbit. After a while it became clear that the satellites have fallen into the Pacific Ocean, 1,500 km northwest of Honolulu (Hawaii). Residents and visitors of Hawaii was lucky that the upper stage did not reach to them. These three satellites would be the last of 24 vehicles, which are located on the 8 pieces in three dimensions. Thus the scope of the navigation system of the Russian Federation of the world delayed. For users in Russia, it does not matter, because our country is completely covered. Perhaps the complete formation of the GLONASS will start with an experimental satellite Glonass-K connection backup devices on the orbit, but to ensure this no one can. The Ministry of Defence, for example, argues that completion of the task of forming a constellation of satellites GLONASS postponed indefinitely. Immediately began to assemble an interagency commission to investigate the incident, which at the request of the head of Russian Federal Space Agency Anatoly Perminov to head the distinguished and respected in the industry people, not directly related to GLONASS. As a candidate for chief Perminov suggested TsNIIMash Gennady Raykunova. Already prepared several versions of what happened. On one of them, rocket deviated from the set rate due to mathematical errors in the flight plan. Responsibility for this lies with the staff of the Scientific-Production Center of Automatics and Instrument. Pilyugin. Another version says that the reason for exit from the desired trajectory was a bug in the software of the Proton-M. However, neither version does not question the technical condition of the booster. Moreover, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch of Proton will continue as usual. Although it is generally in case of emergency situations run on time to stop by the orders of the interagency commission. The next launch of the Proton will be held on December 20. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev instructed Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika, the Russian Federation to undertake a thorough verification of the effectiveness of spending in creating the GLONASS system. Recall, for work on the global Russian navigation system has already spent 60 billion rubles. In this and next year will be spent on the project for about 48 billion rubles. Text: Olga Zabelkina.