Russia has temporarily lost the ability to launch humans into space following damage to its sole active launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This incident, unprecedented since 1961, occurred during the November 27th launch of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
Incident Details
The Soyuz MS-28 successfully delivered Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, along with NASA astronaut Chris Williams, to the ISS for an eight-month mission. However, Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, confirmed post-launch that Site 31/6 sustained unspecified damage. Eyewitness reports suggest a 22-ton service platform used for rocket access fell into the launch pad’s flame trench during liftoff, likely due to improper securing.
Consequences and Alternatives
The loss of Site 31/6 leaves Russia without immediate human launch capabilities. While two other cosmodromes, Vostochny and Plesetsk, exist within Russia, neither is currently equipped for crewed Soyuz launches. Russia’s reliance on Baikonur, leased from Kazakhstan for $115 million annually, underscores its limited independent infrastructure for human spaceflight.
The damage comes as Russia scales back its ISS involvement, with the station’s decommissioning planned by 2030. The next crewed mission from Site 31/6 is scheduled for July 2026, while an uncrewed supply run is set for December 20th. Whether repairs will be completed in time remains uncertain.
Historical Context and Future Plans
Site 31/6, with over 400 successful launches, became Russia’s last operational pad in 2020 after the retirement of Site 1/5 (Gagarin’s Start), used for Yuri Gagarin’s historic 1961 flight. Parts from the decommissioned Gagarin’s Start could be repurposed for repairs.
Russia is also planning to use Site 31/6 for missions supporting the construction of its new Russian Orbital Service Station, slated to begin in 2027. As the ISS nears retirement, Russia is strengthening ties with China, potentially relying on Chinese launch facilities for future cosmonaut missions, with a long-term goal of establishing a lunar base by 2035.
The incident highlights Russia’s vulnerability in human spaceflight and will test its ability to maintain its presence in orbital programs, particularly as it navigates its future partnerships and infrastructure limitations.
