Russia Launches Three Satellites From Baikonur

The Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan (file photo) (AFP) 25 December 2005 -- A Russian Proton-K rocket blasted off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan today carrying three navigation satellites.

Space officials said the satellites are to join Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System. GLONASS is the equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS.


When the three satellites are placed in orbit, Russia will have 17 GLONASS satellites operating.


(AFP/AP)