Russia successfully launches Glonass-M

Russia has successfully launched another Glonass-M navigation satellite into orbit today. Russian space boffins kept themselves busy while waiting for tonight's attempt to contact lost Martian probe Phobos-Grunt by sending the Glonass-M up on a Soyuz booster from the Plesetsk space centre, state news agency RIA Novosti …

[Steve Todd]

GLONASS satilites are in polar orbits

So they give better fixes for people in far northern/southern latitudes. It's also possible to create hybrid GPS/GLONASS systems, thus increasing your chance of getting an accurate position. Looks like good news whichever way you look at it.

[mike 32]

AFAIK...

The iPhone 4S uses the hybrid GPS/GLONASS system...

I don't have an iPhone 4S, and don't know anyone around here who does, so I can't verify without some googling.

Which I'm too lazy to do right now.

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes it does

It's right there on the tech specs:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

"Assisted GPS and GLONASS"

[Paul 135]

not only Apple you know

Quite a few phones released this year already support GPS/GLONASS. The 2011 SE Xperias in particular.

That's what I hate about the flocks of Apple fanboys- they're so vocal that they make you think that their iDevices have something that other phones do not.

[Anonymous Coward]

Paul

You would be welcome to state that without the added agro, but now feel free to expand on the "quite a few" since you only give one example...

It's natural that all phones with a significant market will go for it since Russia plans to ban any phone that doesn't support it.

[DJV]

Maybe GLONASS can give Phobos-Grunt a shove whilst it's up there...

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Not quite polar

Glonas is about 68deg inclination, GPS is 55 deg.

So apparently America hasn't considered invading anywhere north of Newcastle - can't say I blame them.

[proto-robbie]

erk

I never thought I'd say the words "They really need a Brand Naming consultant", but there you go. What are they going to call the next one? Phyz-Gonorf?

[gorand2]

It's actually an abreviation.

[Paul 135]

GLONASS sounds cool to me.

[alwarming]

I think GLONASS is a good name...

"Glowin' Ass" for a rocket is shurely a picture of a successful rocket launch!