Russia’s Launchpad Severely Damaged During Soyuz MS-28 Liftoff

URGENT UPDATE: Russia’s only launchpad for crewed space missions has suffered substantial damage during the liftoff of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft on November 27, 2025. The incident occurred at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, raising serious concerns about future space operations.

Official footage released by Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, shows significant destruction at Site 31/6, the country’s sole active launchpad for sending astronauts into orbit. As the Soyuz rocket ignited its engines, part of the launchpad collapsed into an exhaust trench, leaving behind charred debris and structural remains.

The launch itself was successful, carrying NASA astronaut Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Thankfully, all three crew members are reported safe. However, the condition of the launchpad is alarming, as it is critical for Russia’s manned space missions.

Footage from the launch indicates that the service bay, vital for housing essential equipment and providing technician access, was dislodged during the blast-off. Preliminary assessments of the damage have commenced, but Roscosmos has not detailed how long repairs might take. The agency assured the public that “all necessary backup components are available for restoration,” indicating that steps will be taken to rectify the situation swiftly.

This incident puts additional pressure on Russia’s space program, which has already faced challenges in recent years. The Baikonur spaceport, operational since the 1960s, is a historic site known for launching Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. Alternative launch facilities exist, such as Site 1, but it has not been operational for crewed missions since 2019 and was slated for conversion into a museum.

The impact of this damage could disrupt future missions, as the infrastructure for crewed launches remains limited. Russia is in the process of developing the Vostochny Cosmodrome within its borders, but that facility is not yet equipped for manned launches.

As the world watches, the immediate focus will be on evaluating the damage and determining the timeline for repairs. The global space community is closely monitoring the situation, given its ramifications for international space cooperation and exploration.

Stay tuned for further updates as Roscosmos continues its assessment and restoration efforts. This developing story underlines the critical nature of maintaining infrastructure for human spaceflight, especially amidst ongoing global interest in space exploration.