System GLONASS - the pride of the Russian space industry and a key element of national security. But exactly how many satellites of this navigation constellation are in orbit right now? Why is their number constantly changing, and how does this affect the accuracy of determining the coordinates of your car, smartphone or specialized equipment?

Unlike GPS (USA) or Galileo (EU), GLONASS has unique features: satellite orbits are located at an angle 64.8°, which provides better coverage at high latitudes - where GPS often gets lost. However, for stable operation of the system it is required at least 24 satellites in three orbital planes. Today we will figure out how many there really are, what models are used and why you can see different numbers in open sources.

Spoiler: at the time of updating the article (June 2026) as part of the orbital constellation 28 satellites, but not all of them actively broadcast a navigation signal. Below are details about how it works and why it is important to monitor the current state of the system.

Official data: how many GLONASS satellites are in orbit in 2026

According to information Roscosmos and Information and Analytical Center for Coordinate-Temporal and Navigation Support (IAC KVNO), as of June 2026, it is included in the GLONASS orbital constellation 28 spacecraft. However this total quantity, and not the number of working satellites. Here is the current analysis:

Of these 28 devices:

  • 🟢 24 satellites — operate normally and broadcast a navigation signal for civilian users (including GLONASS-K and GLONASS-M).
  • 🟡 2 satellites — are at the stage of flight testing (usually new GLONASS-K2).
  • 🔴 2 satellites — temporarily taken out for maintenance or in reserve.

It is important to understand that minimum required composition for global coverage — 24 satellites. Exceeding this number (as now) allows:

  1. Increase the accuracy of coordinate determination due to “redundant” signals.
  2. Provide a reserve in case of failure of one or two devices.
  3. Improve coverage in polar regions, where GLONASS is traditionally stronger than GPS.
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If you need the latest data on the number of satellites, check the official website of the IAC KVNO (glonass-iac.ru) - weekly reports on the status of the group are published there.

Why is the number of GLONASS satellites constantly changing?

Unlike static systems (for example, BeiDou), the GLONASS constellation is dynamically updated. Here are the key reasons for fluctuations in the number of operational satellites:

1. Device service life. Satellites GLONASS-M designed for 7 years of active work, and the new ones GLONASS-K - on 10 years. After the expiration of the term, they are either replaced or transferred to reserve.

2. Launches of new satellites. Russia regularly replenishes the group: only in 2023–2026 was it launched 4 devices (including the first GLONASS-K2 with improved characteristics).

3. Technical glitches. Out of order in 2023 2 satellites due to problems with on-board equipment, they were replaced with backup ones.

Case study: In 2022, the number of operational satellites temporarily fell to 22, which led to a deterioration in navigation accuracy on 10–15% in some regions. The situation was corrected by an emergency launch GLONASS-M in December 2022.

📊 How often do you use GLONASS in everyday life?
Daily (navigator in the car)
Sometimes (trackers, smartphone)
Only for work
Never used it

Comparison of GLONASS with GPS, Galileo and BeiDou: who is the leader in the number of satellites

To understand how competitive the Russian system is, let’s compare it with other global navigation systems (data for 2026):

System Number of satellites Orbits Accuracy (RMS) Features
GLONASS (Russia) 28 (24 workers) 3 planes, 64.8° 2.5–4.5 m Better coverage at high latitudes
GPS (USA) 31 (30 workers) 6 planes, 55° 1.5–3 m The most common system
Galileo (EU) 28 (26 workers) 3 planes, 56° 1–2 m High accuracy for civilian users
BeiDou (China) 35 (30 workers) GEO + MEO + IGSO 1–3 m Best Coverage in Asia

As can be seen from the table, GLONASS keeps up in terms of the number of satellites, but loses in accuracy Galileo and BeiDou. However, the Russian system has a key advantage: orbits with an inclination of 64.8° provide a stable signal even beyond the Arctic Circle, where GPS often goes blind.

A critical feature of GLONASS: satellites are not synchronized with the rotation of the Earth (unlike GPS), which requires more complex signal processing algorithms in receivers. This is one of the reasons why many budget navigators support GPS, but do not “see” GLONASS.

What models of GLONASS satellites are used today

In orbit they work simultaneously three generations GLONASS satellites. Their characteristics greatly influence the signal quality:

  • 🛰️ GLONASS-M (since 2003) - the main workhorse. Weight: 1415 kg, service life: 7 years. Supports signals L1 and L2.
  • 🛰️ GLONASS-K (since 2011) - improved version. Weight: 935 kg, service life: 10 years. Signal added L3 for civilian users.
  • 🛰️ GLONASS-K2 (from 2023) - the newest generation. Weight: 1645 kg, service life: 10+ years. Supports signals L1, L2, L3 and L5 (for high-precision navigation).

As of 2026, the distribution is as follows:

  • 18 satellites — GLONASS-M (gradually being replaced).
  • 5 satellites — GLONASS-K.
  • 5 satellites — GLONASS-K2 (including those tested).

Why is this important to users? Satellites GLONASS-K2 broadcast the signal L5, which allows for accuracy up to 1 meter (when using differential corrections). However, such signals are supported only by modern receivers (for example, in smartphones iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S24).

What is the L5 signal and why is it needed?

The L5 signal operates at a frequency of 1176.45 MHz and is intended for high-precision applications (surveying, drones, precision agricultural machinery). Its key advantage is its resistance to interference and the ability to work in urban canyons (between high-rise buildings).

How the number of satellites affects the accuracy of navigation in a car

Have you ever noticed that the navigator in your car is lying? 5–10 meters? This may be due not only to a bad receiver, but also current state of the GLONASS constellation. Here's how it works:

1. Minimum set (24 satellites). With this quantity, the system ensures accuracy 4–7 meters in open space. In the city the error can reach 10–15 meters due to signal reflections.

2. Optimal set (26–28 satellites). Redundant signals allow the receiver to filter out interference and improve accuracy to 2–3 meters.

3. Critical minimum (<22 satellites). In this case, the accuracy drops to 10+ meters, and in the northern regions prolonged disruptions are possible.

Real life example: in 2021, due to a temporary reduction in the group to 21 satellites car tracker owners StarLine and Pandora complained about "jumping" coordinates when driving along the highway. The problem disappeared after launching new devices.

Make sure that GLONASS reception is enabled in the settings (not only GPS)|Check the number of “visible” satellites (ideally >8)|Compare the coordinates with the map (error <5 m is normal)|Update the receiver firmware (older versions may not support GLONASS-K2)-->

⚠️ Attention! If your navigator or smartphone does not “see” GLONASS satellites, this does not always mean a problem with the system. Your device may simply not support signals. L3 or L5. Check the model specifications!

Where to see the current status of GLONASS satellites in real time

If you need exact data for each satellite (its status, orbital position, time of last contact), use these official sources:

  • 🌍 IAC KVNO website — weekly reports on the status of the group.
  • 🛰️ Celestrak — orbital parameters in TLE format (for specialists).
  • 📱 Application GPS Status & Toolbox (Android) - shows which satellites your smartphone “sees”.

The service is useful for motorists NSTAR-GLONASS, where you can check coverage in your region. For example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg it is usually available 10–12 GLONASS satellites, and in Yakutia - up to 15 (due to high inclination orbits).

⚠️ Attention! Some online maps (eg. Google Maps) by default use only GPS. To use GLONASS, enable the option "Highly accurate positioning" (Android) or "Location Services" (iOS).

The future of GLONASS: plans to expand the group until 2030

Russia is actively modernizing the system. According to Federal Space Program, until 2030 it is planned:

  • 🚀 Launch 10 satellites GLONASS-K2 (3 of them have already been launched).
  • 🔄 Completely replace outdated ones GLONASS-M for new generation devices.
  • 📡 Put into operation signal L5 for civilian users (accuracy up to 1 m).
  • 🌍 Increase the number of ground correction stations with 10 to 20 to improve accuracy.

Key goal - increase accuracy to 0.3–0.6 meters for specialized applications (unmanned vehicles, precision agriculture). For comparison: today even the best civilian GPS/GLONASS receivers give an error 1–3 meters.

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GLONASS-K2 is a breakthrough: the satellites weigh 20% more than their predecessors, but consume 30% less energy. Their signals are more resistant to interference, which is critical for military and rescue services.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about GLONASS satellites

Why do some sources write that there are 24 GLONASS satellites, and others - 28?

The difference arises because 24 — this is the minimum required number for global coverage (of which 21 workers + 3 reserves). Digit 28 includes all vehicles in orbit, including those undergoing testing or temporarily disabled. Official source - website IAC KVNO.

Can GLONASS work without GPS?

Yes, but with reservations. In open space (for example, in a field), GLONASS provides accuracy 4–7 meters on your own. However, in the city, where the signal is reflected from buildings, the accuracy drops to 10–15 meters. Therefore, modern navigators (for example, in smartphones) use combined GPS+GLONASS reception, which gives an error 2–3 meters.

How can I find out which GLONASS satellites my smartphone sees?

Install the application GPS Test (Android) or Satellite Tracker (iOS). They display:

  • Number of "visible" GLONASS/GPS satellites.
  • Signal level (the higher the better).
  • Accuracy of current location (in meters).

If GLONASS satellites are not displayed, check whether your smartphone supports the signals L1/L3 (a list of compatible models is on the website European GNSS Agency).

Is it true that GLONASS works better in the north than GPS?

Absolute truth! This is due to orbital inclination 64.8° GLONASS vs. 55° at GPS. Thanks to this:

  • In Murmansk or Norilsk, GLONASS provides a stable signal, but GPS can be “lost”.
  • In polar expeditions (for example, at stations in Antarctica) receivers with GLONASS support are used.

However, in equatorial regions (such as Africa), GPS is often more accurate.

What happens if the number of GLONASS satellites falls below 20?

In this scenario:

  • Navigation accuracy will deteriorate to 15–20 meters.
  • In northern latitudes possible long outages (up to several hours).
  • Military and rescue services will switch to backup systems (e.g. BeiDou).

The last time this happened was in 2001–2002, when there was only one thing left in orbit 12 working satellites. At that time, GLONASS actually did not work for civilian users.