Damage to Baikonur Launch Site
Russia's main crew-capable launch pad, Site 31/6, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome has been severely damaged following the Soyuz MS-28 rocket launch on November 27, 2025. Although the Soyuz MS-28 mission successfully carried two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), the launch caused extensive structural failure to the launch pad infrastructure, rendering it non-operational and raising serious safety and operational concerns.
Details of the Damage
The most apparent damage was the collapse of the movable service platform, which fell into the flame trench beneath the rocket. Satellite images and expert evaluations indicate deformation of critical structural components essential for crewed Soyuz launches. This damage affects the only currently active crew launch site in Russia, following the 2019 closure of the Gagarin’s Start pad.
Impact on Future Missions and Repairs
Site 31/6 is the sole launch pad configured for crewed Soyuz flights. Its incapacitation means Russia currently lacks an immediate replacement for crewed spaceflights. This disruption comes at a crucial time as a Progress resupply mission scheduled for December may face delays or relocation, though alternative sites are not fully prepared for these operations. Roscosmos has announced that repairs will commence immediately using available spare parts but has not provided a definitive timeline for restoration. Independent analysts warn the repairs could take months due to the complex structural damage and need for reinforcement.
Operational and International Implications
The incident threatens the planning and execution of future crew rotations to the ISS, potentially affecting astronaut scheduling and international cooperation efforts. The reliance on Soyuz vehicles and Baikonur continues while Russia develops the Vostochny Cosmodrome, which is not yet capable of handling crewed launches. International space agencies are closely monitoring the situation as Russia completes its damage assessment and determines how quickly the launch site can be restored.
"Damage to a number of elements of the launchpad was detected" - Roscosmos statement following the launch.
This incident underscores the fragile state of Russia's current space infrastructure, emphasizing the urgent need for resilient and redundant crewed launch facilities to sustain its space program and international commitments.
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