Russia Establishes Satellite Ground Station on US Doorstep – German Media

The Nicaraguan parliament ratified a treaty on space cooperation with Russia, which also authorizes the construction of ground-based stations for GLONASS, a global navigation satellite system designed to offer an alternative to the GPS.

Nicaragua is expected to use the system operated by the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces to monitor climate change and prevent natural disasters, in other words for peaceful purposes. "But the Obama administration may perceive a satellite system in the US 'front yard' only as a warning," said Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten.

"Earlier, Russians surprised Americans with photos of [US] spy satellites, causing confusion among the US military. The US Lacrosse radar satellite's motion was clearly documented at Russia’s Altay Optical Laser Center between 2005-2010," the media outlet said.

In 2012, Managua and Moscow signed an agreement on space cooperation, including construction of ground-based stations for GLONASS. The two countries are also negotiating an arms deal, under which Nicaragua plans to buy MiG-29 fighter jets and patrol boats from Russia.

@guardian ANothe blow to USA hegemony in Central America. Well done, Russia and Nicaragua! Enhance cooperation to decrease poverty in CA.

— Chúo de Chuao (@yayito73) 29 апреля 2015

Russia's GLONASS project was launched in late 1970s and now consists of 28 satellites, including 24 operational ones. A Russian counterpart to the US Global Positioning System, it fixes the location and speed of surface, sea and air objects to within an accuracy of one meter.