Russia will launch two Glonass navigation satellites later this year to make up for the loss of three satellites in the recent Proton rocket explosion after launch from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, a senior space industry official said.

The first Glonass is scheduled for launch in the beginning of September, while the second at the end of October. Both satellites will be launched on board the Soyuz carrier rockets, which proved to be more reliable than the ill-fated Protons.

A group of 29 Glonass satellites is currently in orbit, with 24 spacecraft in operation, three spares, one in maintenance, and one in test flight phase, according to Russiaa's space agency, Roscosmos.

Glonass (Global Navigation Satellite System), which was officially launched in 1993, is Russia's answer to the US Global Positioning System (GPS).

Source: Voice of Russia