
A launch pad at Russia’s main space complex was damaged during Thursday’s launch of a mission carrying two Russians and an American to the International Space Station, Moscow’s space agency announced.
The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft successfully docked with the space station and the three crew members had boarded, Roscosmos said.
But a post-launch inspection at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan revealed “damage to several elements of the launch pad,” according to a statement from Roscosmos, which still uses the space facility in its former Soviet neighbor.
“An assessment of the condition of the launch complex is currently underway,” it said, adding that all parts needed to repair the pad are available.
“The damage will be repaired in the near future.”
The launch pad contains support systems for the rocket and a structure that allows cosmonauts to access their capsule as it sits atop a Soyuz rocket.
Launch pads must be capable of withstanding extreme heat, air pressure and vibrations as a rocket takes flight.
Russian analysts said repairs to the launch pad could take a week or longer. And any lengthy delay could leave Russia unable to launch missions to the space station, they said.
“In the worst case this could seriously affect the rotation of crewed missions and cargo flights to the ISS,” analyst and blogger Georgy Trishkin wrote on Telegram.
Typically, ISS crew are launched roughly every six months from Baikonur.
“This is the only launch pad Roscosmos uses for the ISS program, and in the future it was supposed to be used for launches to the Russian Orbital Station,” commentator Vitaliy Egorov wrote on Telegram.
“In effect from this day Russia has lost the ability to launch humans into space, something that has not happened since 1961. Now it will be necessary to quickly repair this launch table or modernize another one,” Egorov wrote.
Besides Russia’s Soyuz craft, NASA uses SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to take crew to the ISS.
The three men aboard the mission that lifted off Thursday join seven other crew already orbiting on the ISS.
Three are scheduled to return to Earth by December 8, according to NASA.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
LATEST POSTS
- 1
5 Great Crossover Vehicles For Eco-friendliness In 2024 - 2
The Delight of Camper Vans: Choosing the One That Meets Your Requirements - 3
What's going on with Katseye? The Manon Bannerman hiatus drama, explained. - 4
Eleven Creations And Developments That Steered History - 5
Share your number one city visit transport that leaves a mark on the world wake up!
Police investigate Lahav 433 officer accused of sexually harassing subordinate policewoman
Supreme Court case about ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ highlights debate over truthful advertising standards
6 Tire Brands Reasonable for Seniors
Massive supernova explosion may have created a binary black hole
Netflix Faces Wider Fallout After Italy Court Orders Refunds, Price Cuts
Defense Minister Katz moves to extend IDF service to 36 months
Gulf countries roll out more autonomous taxis
Manhunt for Brown University shooter continues: FBI releases photos of suspect, announces $50K reward
See the metal guts of a satellite in this wild X-ray view | Space photo of the day for Dec. 4, 2025











