OREANDA-NEWS. October 4, 2011. Glonass-M №42 designed and manufactured by the Reshetnev Company was successfully launched into orbit on October 3, 2011.

The Glonass-M navigation satellite was delivered into the designated orbit by a Soyuz-2.1b/ Fregat rocket launched from the Plesetsk spaceport.

The spacecraft launch went off according to plan. The first communication session was held by the Satellite System Mission Control Center of the Ministry of Defence with the assistance of the ISS-Reshetnev Information Computation Complex.

Thus far, Glonass-M’s mechanical subsystems have been deployed. The satellite is earth-oriented and functioning properly.

Another 4 Glonass-M satellites by the Reshetnev Company are scheduled for pre-launch preparations in 2011.

To that end, ISS-Reshetnev has completed three Glonass-M satellites (№43, №44, №45). Glonass-M №46 is undergoing final electrical testing.

Academician M.F. Reshetnev Information Satellite systems is the prime contractor for the GLONASS space-based segment and Russia’s only enterprise manufacturing navigation satellites.