Russia’s Roscosmos space agency has confirmed that the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan experienced significant damage during the Soyuz MS-28 launch to the International Space Station. According to multiple Russian media reports published on November 27, the incident has raised concerns about the structural integrity and operational safety of the facility. The damage occurred during the launch of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, which was part of the routine resupply mission to the ISS.
The Roscosmos agency is currently assessing the extent of the damage and its potential impact on future launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This incident highlights the challenges faced by space agencies in maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure, as the facility has been in use since the Soviet era. The Soyuz program, which has been a cornerstone of Russia’s space operations, remains critical for both domestic and international missions, including crewed flights to the ISS.
Experts have noted that such incidents are rare but not unprecedented in the history of space launches. The Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in the Kazakh steppe, has seen numerous launches over the decades, but its aging systems have sparked debates about the need for modernization. Roscosmos has previously announced plans to replace the facility with a new spaceport in the Russian Arctic, a move that has been met with mixed reactions from both domestic and international stakeholders.