Russian satellites crash into Pacific Ocean

Moscow, Dec 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Three Russian Glonass-M satellites fell into the Pacific Ocean, some 1,500 km northwest of Honolulu, a source in the aerospace industry said.

“Three Glonass-M satellites fell into a non-navigational area of the Pacific Ocean in some 1,500 km northwest of the city of Honolulu, administrative centre of the state of Hawaii,” the source said, adding that there were no casualties or damage.

A Russian Proton-M carrier rocket, launched Sunday from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan with three Glonass-M satellites and the booster, deviated from its course to eight degrees.

The satellites were to complete the formation of Russia’s global navigation system.

Glonass is the Russian equivalent of the US Global Positioning System, or GPS, and is designed for both military and civilian use. Both systems allow users to determine their positions to within a few meters.

–IANS/RIA Novosti