Urgent: Soyuz Launchpad Severely Damaged During Astronaut Liftoff

UPDATE: A critical incident has unfolded at Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan, where Russia’s only launchpad for crewed space missions has suffered severe damage during the liftoff of a Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft. The launch occurred on November 27, 2025, successfully sending three astronauts, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams, to the International Space Station (ISS), but the launchpad’s condition raises urgent concerns for future missions.

Footage from Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, reveals that the launchpad at Site 31/6 sustained significant blast damage, losing part of its service bay. The service bay is crucial for housing vital cabling and sensors, as well as providing technicians with a workspace for the rocket’s tail section. As the Soyuz rocket ignited its booster engines, debris was observed flying from the exhaust trench, suggesting a structural collapse or explosion.

Official reports confirm that while the launch was successful with no injuries to the astronauts, the aftermath shows charred remains lying in the facility’s exhaust trench. This situation poses a major disruption, as Site 31/6 is the only operational launchpad for sending astronauts into space.

The extent of the damage remains unclear, and Roscosmos has not provided details on how long repairs might take. An official statement indicated, “The launch complex’s condition is currently being assessed,” assuring that all necessary backup components are available for restoration.

While Russia has plans to develop a new spaceport at Vostochny Cosmodrome, the infrastructure for crewed launches is still incomplete, leaving Baikonur as the primary site for human spaceflight. This incident highlights the vulnerability of Russia’s aging space infrastructure, originally established in the 1960s.

“The damage will be repaired soon,”

stated Roscosmos, as they work to address the implications of this incident on upcoming missions.

As the world watches closely, the future of Russia’s crewed space missions hangs in the balance. With the international space community reliant on this launchpad, updates on the repair timeline will be critical. Keep an eye on developments as authorities assess the full impact of this significant event.