/ˈɡloʊnæs/
noun — "a satellite navigation system that provides global positioning from Russian orbiters."
GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is Russia’s government-operated satellite navigation system, designed to provide accurate positioning, velocity, and timing data worldwide, similar in purpose to the GPS network. GLONASS is widely used in military, aviation, maritime, and civilian applications, often integrated with multi-constellation receivers to improve coverage, redundancy, and precision. Its signals allow users to determine coordinates in three-dimensional space, synchronize clocks, and support navigation in areas where terrestrial references are unavailable or unreliable.
Technically, GLONASS consists of a constellation of 24 satellites in medium Earth orbit (~19,100 km altitude), arranged in three orbital planes to ensure global coverage. Each satellite transmits radio signals at two frequency bands: L1 (~1602 MHz) and L2 (~1246 MHz). Receivers calculate position by measuring the travel time of signals from multiple satellites, applying the principles of trilateration. GLONASS satellites use atomic clocks for precise timing, which is essential for accurate distance measurements and overall positioning accuracy.
Key characteristics of GLONASS include:
- Global coverage: provides positioning anywhere on Earth, day or night.
- Dual-frequency signals: L1 and L2 bands allow compensation for ionospheric delays.
- High accuracy: typically within 2–5 meters for civilian users and ~1 meter for military users.
- Multi-constellation compatibility: often combined with GPS, Galileo, or BeiDou for enhanced precision and reliability.
- Continuous operation: designed for 24/7 availability under varying conditions.
In practical workflows, GLONASS is used in personal navigation devices, smartphones, aviation instruments, maritime navigation systems, and IoT sensors that require precise geolocation. For instance, a multi-GNSS receiver in a drone may combine GLONASS and GPS signals to maintain accurate positioning during flight over urban canyons, where some satellites might be temporarily obstructed. Surveyors and logistics companies also leverage GLONASS signals for precise mapping, fleet tracking, and automated routing.
Conceptually, GLONASS is like a constellation of lighthouses in the sky: each satellite emits a signal that allows a navigator to pinpoint location accurately, even in remote or featureless terrain.
Intuition anchor: GLONASS acts as a Russian counterpart to GPS, offering an independent, global system for real-time positioning and navigation, helping devices orient themselves anywhere on Earth with precision and reliability.