OREANDA-NEWS. August 24, 2009. Enlargement of the Russian GLONASS constellation provide the system with the characteristics close to the GPS`s ones, Anatoly Shilov, Roscosmos Deputy Head told journalists.

"Characteristics of GLONASS and GPS gradually become close. Unfortunately, our constellation was incomplete. Now we are in process enlarging it. Thus, the accuracy, accessibility, reliabilty improve", Shilov told Interfax-AVN.

International Satellite Navigation conference took place in St. Petersburg recently. "The participants admit that GLONASS provides better services compare to GPS in 4 of 12 characteristics of space navigation systems. This is not our opinion, this the view of the world leading scientists", Shilov says.

He also states that Roscosmos intends to achieve GLONASS parameters which do not yield GPS characteristics.

"We prepare new-generation satellite Glonass-K to attain it. The satellite will have advanced hardware. It will be lighter, thus providing the opportunity to reduce launch expences. In addition, its life-time in orbit is 10 year, which is 3 years more than for Glonass-M satellites launched currently", Shilov states.