Glonass (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), which is designed for both military and civilian use, and allows users to identify their positions in real time.

"We will launch three Glonass satellites on September 28 and another three satellites in December, so we could have 18-19 spacecraft in orbit, taking into account the possible retirement of outdated spacecraft," an official from the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems told RIA Novosti.

According to the Central Research Institute for Machine Building, the Glonass system currently consists of 16 satellites, with 13 satellites operating in line with their designated function, two satellites undergoing maintenance, and one due to be withdrawn from the orbital grouping.

The head of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos), Anatoly Perminov, said on September 5 that the number of satellites in Russia's Glonass navigation system will be increased from the current 16 to 30 by 2011.

It was earlier reported that the Glonass system should include 18 satellites for continued navigation services covering the entire territory of the Russian Federation and 24 satellites to provide services worldwide.

A total of 9.9 billion rubles ($418.25 million) was allocated for Glonass from the federal budget in 2007, and 4.7 billion rubles ($200 million) in 2006.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a directive on September 12 on allocating an additional $2.6 billion to develop the Glonass satellite system.

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