Putin's Pooch

Who: Vladimir Putin’s Dog, Koni

What: Satellite Navigation System, GLONASS

Where: Moscow Russia, Soon the Entire Russian Territory

When: October 17, 2008, System Will be ready in 2009

Why: Originally Created to Match U.S.’s Navigation Satellite System in the Soviet Era

How: Tested by putting a Tracking Collar on Koni

 

Putin’s Pooch

 

Vladimir Putin’s dog, Koni, became the first dog in history to be tracked by a government satellite on October 17, 2008. The Russian government did so to test out their GLONASS global navigation system. Koni was tracked in Moscow, Russia, but the system will be covering the whole Russian Territory by the end of the year with 21.

 

The GLONASS was originally set up during the soviet era to compete with the U.S.’s system. Due to technological errors, the system is just now getting into motion. It is expected to be completed in 2009 with 24 satellites and will operate worldwide.

 

The system is nothing short of incredible. Koni was given a collar with a tracking device installed. The device not only gave off his position but also showed when he was walking or sitting down in a puddle. Putin says, "My dog isn't a piglet, it doesn't lie in puddles." The system is very reactive and operational; Russia has finally caught up after so many years!