Russia successfully launches military satellite

Russia launches the first GLONASS-K2 satellite onboard the Soyuz-2.1b medium-class rocket from the Plesetsk State Test Cosmodrome on 7 August 2023. (Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

Russia has successfully launched a military satellite onboard the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle on 7 August.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the military satellite was successfully launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region and is “in the interests of the authority”.

The system is the first generation of the GLONASS-K2 (Global Navigation Satellite System) radio-based navigation satellites launched into space. A total of two GLONASS-K2 satellites are planned, which form part of the RUB484 billion (USD4.9 billion) 10-year (2021–30) programme to replace the older generation satellites.

GLONASS-K2, developed by ISS Reshetnev, weighs approximately 1,645 kg, almost 700 kg heavier than the previous GLONASS-K1 series. The satellites have an approximate 10-year service life; a clock stability of 5–1×10–14; transmit in the L1, L2, and L3 navigation frequency bands; and have 170% more power than the previous series.