GLONASS (Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema) is a global satellite navigation system developed and operated by Russia. Emerging as an alternative to the U.S. GPS, GLONASS provides global positioning, time synchronization, and navigation services. It stands out especially for offering stronger signals and more precise positioning than GPS at high latitudes.

History and Development Process

The foundations of GLONASS were laid during the Soviet Union era, with the first satellite launched into orbit on October 12, 1982, under the name Kosmos-1413. The system, which became fully operational in the early 1990s, was designed for both military and civilian use. In 1995, the GLONASS system reached global coverage capability for the first time with 24 satellites. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, budget constraints made it difficult to maintain and sustain the system. Starting from the 2000s, a significant modernization process was initiated for the GLONASS system through new investments by the Russian Federation, and new-generation GLONASS-M and GLONASS-K satellites were commissioned. During this period, signal accuracy, energy efficiency, and orbital continuity were improved.

System Architecture and Technical Structure

The GLONASS constellation consists of 24 operational satellites in medium orbit, approximately 19,140 kilometers above the Earth. These satellites are distributed over 3 orbital planes in such a way that at least 4 satellites are always visible worldwide. GLONASS operates using FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) technology. Users can access position signals via the L1 (around 1602 MHz) and L2 bands. GLONASS-K satellites also transmit more modern CDMA-supported signals. The control of the GLONASS system is carried out through ground stations affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense. Orbital corrections and timing calibrations of the satellites are performed at these centers.

Usage Areas and Applications

Civil and Commercial Use

GLONASS is widely used in civilian navigation devices, smartphones, land transportation, maritime, and aviation. In systems that are used in combination with GPS, GLONASS support is integrated to reduce signal loss, especially in urban or mountainous areas.

Emergency Systems: ERA-GLONASS

The ERA-GLONASS system, developed in Russia, is an emergency communication system installed in vehicles that automatically transmits location and data in case of an accident. The system aims to reduce response time by directly sending location data to rescue teams.

Use in Türkiye

In Türkiye, some technical regulations published by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure mandate the use of GLONASS-compatible devices. Tracking systems used in passenger transport vehicles are an example of this.

Its Place Among International Positioning Systems

GLONASS is one of the four main global navigation systems used worldwide. The others are: GPS (USA), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China). Manufacturers often combine these systems in GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) compatible products.

Compared to GPS, GLONASS can provide stronger signals, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Russia sees this system as a strategic autonomy tool and has established collaborations involving technology transfer with some developing countries.