
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
Mars orbiter sees 'butterfly' crater spread its wings on the Red Planet - 2
Hot peppers sent him to the ER. Two years later, a ‘ghost bill’ arrived. - 3
What's the Fate of 5G Innovation? - 4
Favored Organic product for Seniors' Prosperity: Make Your Determination - 5
Beyond the habitable zone: Exoplanet atmospheres are the next clue to finding life on planets orbiting distant stars
Germany's first Omani LNG shipments arrive despite Middle East disruptions
Carry Nature Inside with These Staggering Plant Decisions
NASA's make-or-break moon shot
From White Elephant to Favorite Things parties, here are all the rules you need to know every kind of gift exchange
4 Famous Attractions at Disneyland
How on earth did 'Shark Tank' star Kevin O'Leary end up in 'Marty Supreme'? I'll let him explain.
Insurance warning signs in doctors’ offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health
Exclusive-Drugmakers raise US prices on 350 medicines despite pressure from Trump
Child influencers helped power a booming industry. It's time for a reckoning.












