GLONASS/GNSS
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is a general term describing any satellite constellation that provides positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services on a global or regional basis.
While GPS is the most prevalent GNSS, other nations are fielding, or have fielded, their own systems to provide complementary, independent PNT capability.
GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a global GNSS owned and operated by the Russian Federation.
GLONASS, which became operational in 1995, functions on the same general principles as GPS. The fully deployed system consists of 24 satellites distributed in three orbits. Because of Russia’s economic difficulties, however, GLONASS for some years was not well maintained, and replacement satellite deployment was slow.
The original purpose of the systems was the support of military activities, and they have continued to operate under military control while serving a wide variety of civilian uses.
J.M. Logsdon. (1999, May 4). Space exploration - Applications, Benefits, Technology. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/space-exploration/Space-applications
GPS: The Global Positioning System. (2021, October 19). GPS.gov: Other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Retrieved from https://www.gps.gov/systems/gnss/