GLONASS navigation system loses one satellite

One spacecraft has been withdrawn from the orbital group of the Russian navigation system, GLONASS, Interfax reports.

On  August 24, the group consists of 19 satellites, 18 of which are operating  to their target designation, and one is temporarily withdrawn for maintenance,  according  to the information posted on the website of the Russian Space Agency's information analysis center.

Until  today  the  GLONASS  system  had  20  satellites.  The first satellite  withdrawn  from the group was launched into orbit in December 2003 and   started   operating  a  year  later.  It  was  withdrawn  for maintenance in early May 2009.

(Source: Port News)