Russia’s only crewed-mission launch site has suffered major damage following a rocket launch on Thursday.
The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan will be unable to host launches until repairs are made, according to the space agency Roscosmos, marking the first time in decades that Russia has lost the ability to send people to space.
The launch of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft was otherwise successful, with none of the crew members injured.
The three-person crew, which included Nasa astronaut Chris Williams and two Russian crewmates, made it safely to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday evening.
Roscosmos shared footage of the launch, which showed part of the launchpad collapse into an exhaust trench below as a result of the rocket’s blast.
The space agency said that “damage to a number of elements of the launchpad was detected” following the launch.
“The launch complex’s condition is currently being assessed,” Roscosmos told state media. “All necessary backup components are available for restoration, and the damage will be repaired in the near future.”
The Independent has reached out to Roscosmos for more information.
Analysts have questioned the timeframe for repairs, with critical cabling, sensors and other sections of the launchpad’s service bay believed to be destroyed.
“This is the only launchpad Roscosmos uses for the ISS program, and in the future it was supposed to be used for launches to the Russian Orbital Station,” Russian space commentator Vitaliy Egorov wrote on Telegram.
“In effect, from this day Russia has lost the ability to launch humans into space, something that has not happened since 1961. Now it will be necessary to quickly repair this launchpad or modernise another one.”
The Soyuz crew will spend eight months aboard the ISS before returning to Earth in July 2026.
Russia is currently developing its own independent orbital outpost, called the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS), with the ISS set to be decommissioned in 2030.
The first ROSS module is planned for launch in 2027.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
I’m a dad to an autistic child. Here’s how you can make the holidays easier for all of us. - 2Vote In favor of Your Favored Web based Dating Application
- 32024 Moving Styles for Kitchen Redesigns
- 4Key Training: Picking a Significant for Monetary Achievement
- 5See a half-lit moon shine among the stars of Aquarius on Nov. 27
- Research institutions tout the value of scholarship that crosses disciplines – but academia pushes interdisciplinary researchers out
- The next frontier in space is closer than you think – welcome to the world of very low Earth orbit satellites
- The Most Famous Virtual Entertainment Powerhouses of the Year
- SpaceX shatters its rocket launch record yet again — 165 orbital flights in 2025
- Canada cancels its 1st moon rover: 'It's hopefully not a lost cause'
- Taylor Frankie Paul's domestic violence case is fueling discussions about DARVO. Experts say terms like this shouldn't be used lightly.
- Is relief in sight? Flu season still brutal but cases are declining.
- Favored Chinese Dish: Make Your Determination
- Why is everyone talking about Paul Dano? George Clooney becomes the actor's latest defender in this 'time of cruelty.'
