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Federal Space Agency has activated two reserve satellites GLONASS.. / December 8, 2010 /

Head of Federal Space Agency Anatoly Perminov, ordered to activate two reserves GLONASS-M satellite in orbit. On it informs RIA Novosti news agency referring to the statement of the Perminov.

As the head of department, one of the satellites using its own engines have already put forward a calculation point of the orbit. After correction it will be completely ready to go.

Two reserve satellites were incorporated after the loss of three units on 5 December. By not established until certain reasons rocket «Proton», which was to bring the latest satellites into orbit, has deviated from its trajectory, after which the upper stage went on unclosed orbit and sunk in the Pacific Ocean.

Casualties and damage when falling satellite was not. They sank in 1500 kilometers northwest of Honolulu (Hawaii).

As a likely version of the incident were called errors in the software (wrong calculation could be loaded into the onboard computer missiles), or the excess mass of the upper stage, which could be filled with a ton of «extra» fuel. Special commission to ascertain the cause of the incident plans to complete its work by December 20.

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