The number of centers receiving and analyzing data from satellites in Russia's Glonass satellite navigation system will be increased to 25, UPI cited officials as saying. The centers will provide services based on data received via Glonass satellites for monitoring traffic safety, road planning and transportation on federal highways as well as dangers such as landslides, avalanches and mud flow, they said. "Ten space service centers have already been established in Russia, the establishment of another 15 is planned," Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov said Tuesday at a satellite navigation forum in Moscow. Like the U.S. Global Positioning System, the Glonass system allows users to pinpoint their location to within a few yards. Russia currently has 31 Glonass satellites in orbit, RIA Novosti reported. The first of a new generation of navigation satellites, the Glonass-K, was launched in February 2011 and a second is set for launch in 2013, Russian space officials said. Eventually, 22 of the new-generation satellites will be launched to replace the outdated ones, they said.
