Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, has confirmed that a critical launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome sustained damage during a crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. While the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft successfully delivered its three-person crew to orbit, the incident has grounded Russia's ability to launch humans into space for an unknown period, raising serious questions about the future of its space program and ISS operations.
Key Takeaways
- A launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome was damaged during the November 27, 2025, Soyuz MS-28 launch.
- Roscosmos has confirmed the incident and is currently assessing the extent of the damage to the facility.
- This is the only launch complex Russia currently uses for crewed missions to the International Space Station.
- The damage could potentially delay future crew rotations and cargo resupply flights, impacting ISS operations.
A Successful Mission with a Costly Aftermath
The Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off as scheduled from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying a crew of three to the International Space Station. Aboard the Soyuz MS-28 capsule were Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, alongside NASA astronaut Christopher Williams.
The flight proceeded without any apparent issues. The spacecraft successfully reached orbit and docked with the space station, where the new arrivals were welcomed by the seven crew members already on board. The mission appeared to be a routine success for the veteran Soyuz system.
However, a standard post-launch inspection of the launch facility revealed a significant problem. Roscosmos announced that inspectors found "damage to several elements of the launch pad." The agency did not specify the exact nature or severity of the damage but confirmed an assessment was underway.
The Baikonur Cosmodrome
Baikonur is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. Located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan, it has been the launch point for countless historic missions, including the first satellite, Sputnik 1, and the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin. Despite being in Kazakhstan, it is leased and managed by Roscosmos.
Repairs Underway Amid Growing Concerns
In a public statement, Roscosmos attempted to downplay the severity of the situation. The agency stated that all necessary parts for repairs are available and that the work would be completed "in the near future."
Launch pads are complex structures built to withstand immense forces. They must endure extreme heat, powerful vibrations, and intense air pressure generated by a rocket launch. The support structures, which include gantries for crew access and systems that fuel the rocket, are essential for safe operations.
While Roscosmos remains optimistic about a swift repair, outside analysts have expressed significant concern. The damaged pad is not just one of many; it is the only facility Roscosmos currently uses for its entire ISS program, including both crewed flights and uncrewed cargo missions.
"In effect from this day Russia has lost the ability to launch humans into space, something that has not happened since 1961," commentator Vitaliy Egorov noted. "Now it will be necessary to quickly repair this launch table or modernize another one."
Potential Impact on the International Space Station
The timing of this incident is critical. The International Space Station relies on a steady rotation of crew and supplies. Typically, crewed missions launch from Baikonur approximately every six months to replace astronauts whose tours of duty are ending.
Any significant delay in repairing the launch pad could have a cascading effect on the station's schedule. The current crew aboard the ISS includes ten individuals following the arrival of the Soyuz MS-28 team. According to NASA, three of the station's long-term residents are scheduled to return to Earth by December 8.
ISS Crew Transport
- Russia's Soyuz: A workhorse of human spaceflight, it has been the primary vehicle for transporting crews to the ISS for over a decade.
- SpaceX's Dragon: NASA now also uses the Crew Dragon spacecraft, launched from U.S. soil, to send its astronauts to the station, reducing its reliance on Soyuz.
Russian space analyst Georgy Trishkin highlighted the potential risks of a prolonged outage. "In the worst case this could seriously affect the rotation of crewed missions and cargo flights to the ISS," he wrote. A lengthy delay could disrupt scientific experiments, maintenance schedules, and the overall operational stability of the orbiting laboratory.
A Single Point of Failure
This incident exposes a critical vulnerability in Russia's space infrastructure. For years, the Soyuz system and the Baikonur launch site have been the backbone of human spaceflight, not just for Russia but for the entire international partnership.
The reliance on a single launch pad for such a vital program is now under intense scrutiny. The damage underscores the lack of redundancy in Russia's crewed launch capabilities. Before the advent of SpaceX's Crew Dragon, the Soyuz was the only way for any astronaut from any country to reach the ISS for nearly a decade after the retirement of the U.S. Space Shuttle.
The pad was also slated for future use in launching missions to the planned Russian Orbital Station (ROS), a proposed successor to Russia's involvement in the ISS. This setback could also impact the timeline for that ambitious national project.
The global space community will be watching closely as Roscosmos works to repair the damage. The speed and success of their efforts will determine the short-term future of Russia's access to space and its ability to fulfill its commitments to the International Space Station partnership.