Author Summary
Russia's sole active crewed launch pad at Baikonur sustained damage from the Soyuz MS-28 liftoff on November 27, 2025, potentially disrupting ISS missions amid repair timelines of weeks to years.
Launch Success and Damage
The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut, launched successfully from Baikonur Cosmodrome on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and docked with the International Space Station without issues. During liftoff, the mobile service platform collapsed into the flame duct at Site 31, rendering Russia's only facility for crewed orbital launches inoperable.
Repair Challenges
Roscosmos confirmed the damage but has not detailed the extent or timeline for fixes. Experts estimate repairs to the service platform (8U0216) could take up to two years, though quicker options like repurposing gear from decommissioned pads at Baikonur or elsewhere might enable interim cargo and crew flights.
Implications for Missions
This pad supports Soyuz and Progress missions to the ISS, with no active alternatives for crewed launches since 1961. The incident threatens rotation of ISS crew and cargo, including the planned Progress MS-33 on December 21, 2025, and future operations for Russia's Orbital Station.
"As of today, Russia has effectively lost the capability to send humans into space, a situation not seen since 1961." – Vitaliy Egorov
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