Glonass satellites fail to reach orbit

Three Russian Glonass communication satellites have failed to reach orbit, after being launched atop a Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan earlier on Sunday.

There are conflicting reports about the nature of the problem, with some saying the satellites could have burned up in the dense layers of the atmosphere. Another source, quoted by Itar Tass news agency, suggests all three satellites splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.The Ministry of Defense has not provided details of the incident, but said the project will most likely be modified in order to ensure it maintains its global coverage in the future.