All 24 satellites of GLONASS orbital constellation will be operational by early March 2013. 24 satellites are required in order to cover the whole Earth, RIA Novosti reports with reference to Information-Analytical Center of the Federal Space Agency .

One of 24 satellites was temporarily put out of service for maintenance. At present 23 satellites of  GLONASS orbital constellation are being operated , three spacecraft are under maintenance and two more are in reserve, one Glonass-K satellite is undergoing flight tests. The  orbital constellation should comprise 24 satellites in order to cover the whole Earth .

" According to GLONASS System Control Centre the works on moving spacecraft Glonass-M №743 to orbital slot 8 successfully completed, planned to commission March 3 rd 2013 ", — said in the statement of  Information-Analytical Center of the Federal Space Agency .