A Proton-K rocket carrying three modernized Glonass-M satellites lifted off at 23:18 Moscow time (8:18 p.m. GMT) Monday from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan. The satellites were put into orbit early Tuesday.
Glonass, a Russian version of the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), is designed for both military and civilian purposes, and allows users to identify their positions in real time. It can also be used in geological prospecting.
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: SL-12
International Designators(s): 2006-062A, 2006-062B, 2006-062C
SSC Name Owner
29670 COSMOS 2424 (GLONASS-M 6) CIS
29671 COSMOS 2425 (GLONASS-M 7) CIS
29672 COSMOS 2426 (GLONASS-M 8) CIS
Source: Novosti, \"Russia launches three Glonass satellites\" (http://en.rian.ru/russia/20061226/57810801.html)