# Kosmos 2516

> Russian navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q25204763](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25204763)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2516)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2516

## Summary  
Kosmos 2516 is a Russian GLONASS‑M navigation satellite that was launched on 29 May 2016 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz‑2.1b rocket. It operates as part of the GLONASS‑M (Uragan‑M) constellation, providing positioning, navigation and timing services for Russia and worldwide users.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 29 May 2016 (08:44:35 UTC) from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.  
- **Satellite class:** GLONASS‑M (Uragan‑M) navigation satellite.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2016‑032A.  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 41554.  
- **Manufacturer:** JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1b rocket equipped with a Fregat upper stage (type 112‑04).  
- **Aliases:** Uragan‑M #44, Uragan‑M 44.  
- **Related family:** GLONASS‑M series of Russian navigation satellites.  
- **Wikipedia title:** Kosmos 2516 (available in English, Croatian, Latvian).  

## FAQs  

### Q: What is the purpose of Kosmos 2516?  
A: Kosmos 2516 is a GLONASS‑M navigation satellite that transmits positioning, navigation, and timing signals, supporting both civilian and military users of the Russian global navigation satellite system.

### Q: When and how was Kosmos 2516 launched?  
A: It was launched on 29 May 2016 at 08:44:35 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, using a Soyuz‑2.1b rocket with a Fregat upper stage.

### Q: Who built Kosmos 2516?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev, a leading Russian spacecraft builder.

### Q: What constellation does Kosmos 2516 belong to?  
A: It is part of the GLONASS‑M (Uragan‑M) constellation, the second generation of Russia’s GLONASS navigation satellites.

### Q: What are the alternative names for Kosmos 2516?  
A: It is also known as Uragan‑M #44 or Uragan‑M 44.

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 2516 contributes to the robustness and global coverage of the GLONASS navigation system, Russia’s counterpart to the United States’ GPS. By adding a GLONASS‑M satellite, the constellation gains improved signal accuracy, higher resistance to interference, and extended service life compared with earlier GLONASS‑K models. This enhances the reliability of navigation services for a wide range of applications, including aviation, maritime transport, telecommunications, and military operations. The satellite’s launch aboard the modern Soyuz‑2.1b rocket demonstrates Russia’s continued capability to deploy sophisticated space assets using domestically produced launch vehicles and upper stages, reinforcing its strategic autonomy in space. Consequently, Kosmos 2516 plays a critical role in maintaining the precision and redundancy of global positioning services that underpin modern infrastructure and security.

## Notable For  
- **Second‑generation GLONASS design:** First of the GLONASS‑M (Uragan‑M) series to replace older GLONASS‑K satellites.  
- **Modern launch configuration:** Utilized the Soyuz‑2.1b rocket with a Fregat upper stage, showcasing Russia’s upgraded launch infrastructure.  
- **Enhanced navigation performance:** GLONASS‑M satellites provide longer lifespans and improved signal stability over previous generations.  
- **Strategic positioning:** Strengthens Russia’s independent global navigation capability, reducing reliance on foreign GNSS systems.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Kosmos 2516 (Uragan‑M #44) is a GLONASS‑M navigation satellite, part of the Russian GLONASS constellation. The GLONASS‑M series is an evolution of the original GLONASS‑K design, offering higher accuracy and longer operational life.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class:** GLONASS‑M (Uragan‑M).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2016‑032A.  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN):** 41554.  
- **Manufacturer:** JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz‑2.1b with a Fregat upper stage (type 112‑04).  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 29 May 2016, 08:44:35 UTC.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43/4.  
- **Event:** Rocket launch (significant event recorded in mission logs).  

### Role in the GLONASS Constellation  
Kosmos 2516 operates alongside other GLONASS‑M satellites to provide continuous global coverage. Its signals are used for:
- **Civilian navigation:** Smartphone location services, vehicle tracking, and mapping.  
- **Military applications:** Precise timing and positioning for defense systems.  

### Manufacturing and Design  
JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev designed and built the satellite, integrating advanced atomic clocks and radiation‑hard electronics to ensure reliability in the harsh space environment.

### Related Entities  
- **GLONASS‑M family:** The broader class of Russian navigation satellites to which Kosmos 2516 belongs.  
- **Soyuz‑2.1b rocket:** The launch vehicle variant used for this mission, representing a modernized version of the long‑standing Soyuz launch system.  

### Legacy and Impact  
The deployment of Kosmos 2516 marked a continued modernization of Russia’s GNSS capabilities, reinforcing the strategic importance of autonomous navigation services and contributing to the overall resilience of the GLONASS network.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_stage/fregat.htm)