
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
NASA Perseverance rover sees megaripples on Mars | Space photo of the day for Jan. 7, 2026. - 2
Famous Network programs in Europe and America - 3
Figure out How to Amplify Innovation and Infotainment Frameworks for Senior Drivers in SUVs - 4
Make your choice for the bird that catches your heart! - 5
Role reversal: Ukraine moves training home and exports the lessons abroad
Fact Check: Some Bridge Photos Circulating Do NOT Show The Hongqi Bridge That Collapsed In Southwest China Nov. 11, 2025
Kate Middleton and Prince William unveil annual family Christmas card photo with George, Charlotte and Louis
41 Young Men Die in South Africa After Circumcision Initiation
South Carolina measles outbreak grows by nearly 100, spreads to North Carolina and Ohio
Step by step instructions to Prepare with Senior Protection for Inward feeling of harmony.
Understanding climate change in America: Skepticism, dogmatism and personal experience
Energy security rifts widen in Europe
12 times rockets and spacecraft crashed and burned in 2025
Astrophotographer captures spectacular photo of Antennae Galaxies dueling in deep space












