Baikonur, Kazakhstan – Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan sustained damage to a launch platform following the successful launch of a Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), the Russian space agency announced. The incident raises concerns about the long-term viability of the launch site.
The launch, which occurred Thursday, carried two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut to the ISS. Initially, the Russian space agency reported that the Soyuz MS-28 mission had docked successfully at the ISS and that the launch proceeded without incident. The crew’s health has been confirmed as excellent.
However, a subsequent inspection of the launch area revealed damage to elements of the launch platform. “We detected damage to a number of elements of the launch pad,” the Russian space agency stated. “An assessment of the situation at the launch complex is currently underway.”
The agency reassured that the damage is repairable. “All necessary spare parts are available for the repairs, and the damage will be repaired very soon,” they added. The extent of the damage and the potential impact on future launches from Baikonur remain unclear.
The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining complex space infrastructure. Baikonur Cosmodrome, leased by Russia from Kazakhstan, is a crucial launch facility for both Russian and international space programs. The space sector remains one of the few areas of continued collaboration between the United States and Russia, despite strained relations due to the conflict in Ukraine.
This event could potentially affect the launch schedule for future missions. DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
