
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
Smooth countdown continues for Artemis II moon mission - 2
Scientists have found an alarming environmental impact of vast data centers - 3
'Spending more on gas than groceries:' Rising fuel prices drive more San Antonio families to the Food Bank amid Iran war - 4
The Job of a Land Legal counselor in Property Exchanges - 5
Evaluated Smartwatches for Wellness Devotees
What's the new 'Knives Out' mystery about? Everything to know about 'Wake Up Dead Man,' including who's in the cast and what the reviews say.
Fetterman says he's back home after a fall put the Pennsylvania senator in the hospital
Investigating Remarkable Espresso Flavors: Upgrade Your Day to day Blend
Rick Steves Recommends This German Town's Castle Hotel With Rhine River Views
From record warming to rusting rivers, 2025 Arctic Report Card shows a region transforming faster than expected
How to identify animal tracks, burrows and other signs of wildlife in your neighborhood
Commonsense Ways to work on Your Funds with a Restricted Pay
Underestimated Metropolitan Experience Urban communities On the planet
Smoking rate among US adults drops to record low as vape use rises, CDC report finds











