Russian launches satellites for own GPS system

Not wanting to wait for the new year our second favorite eastern European hangout, Russian has this Christmas launched three satellites that will enable it to launch a new GPS-like system.

These first launches already give GLONASS aka the Global Navigation Satellite System a complete covering of the Russia but the expansion will continue until 2009 when 24 satellites are set to cover the whole world and offer the US' GPS a run for its money. Initially planned during the cold war in the 1970s GLONASS was almost abandoned due to lack of funding in the 90s but now, Time's Man of the Year (2007) President Vladimir Putin put it back on track. read more