Moscow, June 20 (RHC-ITAR-TASS)-- Russia has announced the placement in Cuba of one of its GLONASS System of Differential Correction and Monitoring (SDCM) stations. The development comes as part of an agreement with Cuba on cooperation in exploration and use of outer space.

The deal meets Russian interests, including the need to place the GLONASS System of Differential Correction and Monitoring (SDCM) stations.

Russia and Cuba have signed a framework intergovernmental agreement on space cooperation during Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Havana in February.

GLONASS is a Russia-made global navigation satellite system. Satellites on three orbits and SDCMs are needed for its operation to receive signals and make measurements in Russia. The GLONASS satellite grouping consists of 24 satellites in routine operation and four satellites in orbital backup. Deployment of the SDCM station in Cuba should allow compensating mainly for US reluctance to install SDCMs in its territory.

Russia has immediate plans to deploy GLONASS stations in Brazil and China along with Cuba and negotiate deployment of these facilities in the United States until August 31.