Next-generation GLONASS-K2 won’t launch until 2017 at earliest

November 12, 2015 - By GPS World Staff

The test flight of the first GLONASS-K2 satellite — a new generation GLONASS satellite with a design life of 10 years — is expected to take place from late 2017 to early 2018, RIA Novosti reports. The Russian news agency quoted Nikolai Testoyedov, CEO of Information Satellite Systems—Reshetnev, speaking at the 2015 Dubai Air Show.

According to Testoyedov, the GLONASS-K2 satellites had difficulty being equipped following international sanctions imposed on a number of electronic components. The first unit of the series has been built, he said.

Nine GLONASS-M satellites are currently in reserve, and another nine GLONASS-K1 satellites are in production, Testoyedov said. Mass production of GLONASS-K2 satellites is expected to take place following the test, so that by the end of 2018 GLONASS-K2 satellites would be subsequently mass produced, while maintaining the regular structure of the orbital group.

With a GLONASS-M lifetime of seven years, and GLONASS K-1 and GLONASS-K2 of 10 years, the GLONASS system will be updated through 2028-2030, concluded Testoyedov.