Launch Pad Damage follows Triumphant Soyuz Crew Delivery to Space Station
BAIKONUR COSMODROME,KAZAKHSTAN – A Soyuz rocket successfully delivered Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev,along with NASA astronaut Christopher Williams,to the International Space Station Thursday for an eight-month mission. However, the launch from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome was immediately followed by the revelation of meaningful damage to ground support infrastructure.
Initial reports indicate a 20-metric ton service platform, used for pre-launch access to the rocket, was dislodged during liftoff and fell into the flame trench below the launch table. A source familiar with the situation stated, “There is significant damage to the pad.” The platform, located beneath the rocket, apparently was not secured prior to engine ignition, and the force of the launch ejected it from its position.
Roscosmos acknowledged the incident in a statement released Thursday night on Telegram, stating, “The launch pad was inspected, as is done every time a rocket is launched. Damage to several launch pad components was identified.Damage can occur after launch, so such inspections are mandatory worldwide.The launch pad’s condition is currently being assessed.”
while Russia maintains multiple launch pads across Russia and former Soviet republics like Kazakhstan, Site 31 is currently the only pad equipped to support launches of the soyuz rocket, as well as the Progress cargo vehicle and Soyuz crew capsule – both vital for maintaining the International Space Station. The extent of the repairs and potential impact on future launches remains unclear.
