Similar to the Global Positioning System (GPS), Glonass locates positions on Earth’s surface using 24 satellites around the Earth’s orbit. The station installed at UNB is to improve the signal system for end users. Data received by the station will be processed first in Brazil and later sent to Russia to be help make the system more accurate.
Besides being an important component for reducing the positioning error of the Glonass system in South America, the installation will benefit research in aerospace laboratories developed in Automation and Robotics (LARA) and Biomedical (LAB) of UNB. It will be important also for applications and satellite geodetic studies for the university. The information generated by the system can be used in research by scientists, specialists and students.
According to the deputy head of Roscosmos, Sergey Saveliev, the UNB and Russian companies will sign, on Wednesday (20), according to two other stations are installed in Brazil. Data from three will be used together. Other actions in the space between the two countries are under study.
As president of AEB, Raimundo José Coelho, UNB was a right choice to receive the station for years for being committed to space activities. “I think the partnership between the two countries will bring benefits both for Brazil and for Russia. Capacitaremos our professionals and they will have a more efficient system, “the president said.
Participants included the president of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), José Raimundo Coelho, the vice-chancellor of the University of Brasilia, Sonia Bao, deputy head of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) Sergey Saveliev, general director of JSC ( Space Systems of Russia), Andrey Chimiris; coordinator Station Glonass at UNB, Prof. Icaro dos Santos, the directors of the AEB, Carlos Souza Gurgel and Petronius, and also the Head of the International Cooperation of AEB, José Monserrat.
STATION – Three Russian experts came to Brasilia install the station on the roof of the new building of the Data Processing Centre (CPD). The equipment brought from Russia has an antenna and two racks of processors, one for receiving and one for transmit signal information to the project site in Russia. By 2020, Roscosmos expects to have 56 stations like this being mounted UNB. 22 other stations equal to the UNB already operate on Russian territory, one in Antarctica.