Russia's only active launch pad for cosmonauts damaged by Soyuz crew launch to International Space Station

Overview

The recent launch of a Soyuz spacecraft carrying two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) damaged Russia's only active crewed launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Despite the successful liftoff and docking of the Soyuz MS-28 mission with the ISS, inspections revealed that key elements of the launch complex were harmed, raising concerns about Russia's near-term ability to support human spaceflight from Baikonur.

Mission details

The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft launched atop a Soyuz 2.1a rocket and transported a crew of three — two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut — to the ISS, where the vehicle docked successfully and the crew boarded the station without issues. This mission used Site 31/6 at Baikonur, currently Russia's only operational pad for launching crewed missions to the orbiting laboratory.

Nature of the damage

Post-launch inspections showed that the movable servicing cabin, or maintenance cabin, located in the flame trench beneath the launch table, collapsed during liftoff. This platform, weighing roughly 20 metric tons and used by technicians to access the rocket and by crews to reach the spacecraft, fell into the exhaust or flame trench and was heavily deformed.

Statements from Roscosmos

Roscosmos reported that an inspection of the launch site identified damage to several elements of the pad and that such checks are standard procedure after launches in international practice. The agency stated that the condition of the launch complex is still being assessed but emphasized that necessary spare parts are available and that the damage will be repaired in the near future.

Potential impact on launches

Experts and observers noted that this incident could temporarily render Baikonur's only crew-rated pad inoperative, potentially grounding Russian human spaceflight and affecting cargo missions if the same infrastructure is required. Unofficial estimates suggest that repairs could range from weeks to many months, and in more pessimistic assessments possibly up to two years, depending on the extent of structural damage and the complexity of reconstruction.

Key facts summary

Location: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31/6, Kazakhstan — Russia's sole active crewed launch pad for ISS missions.
Mission: Soyuz MS-28 with two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut; launch and ISS docking were nominal.
Damage: Collapse of the movable servicing/maintenance cabin in the flame or exhaust trench, causing significant harm to multiple pad components.
Official stance: Roscosmos confirms damage, ongoing assessment, and availability of spare parts, promising repairs in the near term.
Risk: Possible interruption or slowdown of Russia's ability to conduct crewed and related launches to the ISS until the pad is restored.

Roscosmos indicated that damage had been found on several elements of the Baikonur launch pad and that the condition of the launch complex was under evaluation, with repairs planned using available spare parts.

Author’s summary: A successful Soyuz MS-28 crew launch to the ISS severely damaged Baikonur’s only crew pad, and while Roscosmos promises repairs, experts fear months-long disruption to Russia’s human spaceflight.

Space.com on MSN — 2025-11-28