Urgent: Russia’s Soyuz Launchpad Severely Damaged After Liftoff

URGENT UPDATE: Russia’s only launchpad for crewed missions suffered significant blast damage during the successful liftoff of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft on November 27, 2025. The launch, which transported three astronauts to the International Space Station, has raised immediate concerns about the future of Russia’s manned space program.

Footage from Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, revealed severe structural damage to the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. As the Soyuz rocket ignited its booster engines, debris was seen flying from the exhaust trench, suggesting a possible explosion or structural failure. The footage captured charred remnants of the launchpad’s service bay lying in the trench below, indicating how critical systems may have been compromised.

While all three astronauts onboard, including NASA’s Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts, arrived safely at the ISS, the mishap at the Baikonur site poses an urgent threat to future crewed missions. The service bay, which houses essential cabling and sensors, was evidently dislodged during the launch, leaving questions about the repair timeline and operational integrity of the launch facility.

Roscosmos confirmed the damage but did not specify its extent, stating, “The launch complex’s condition is currently being assessed. All necessary backup components are available for restoration, and the damage will be repaired soon.” However, this announcement does little to alleviate concerns over the reliability of Russia’s sole crewed launch site, built in the 1960s.

This incident not only disrupts current operations but also raises alarms about Russia’s long-term capabilities in human spaceflight. The Baikonur spaceport is historically significant, having facilitated numerous missions since the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin. Although an alternative pad exists, known as Site 1 or Gagarin’s Start, it has not been in use since 2019, and plans to modernize it have reportedly stalled.

As Russia continues to develop the new Vostochny Cosmodrome, the absence of immediate repair solutions at Baikonur leaves the nation’s crewed space ambitions in jeopardy. The urgency of restoring the damaged launchpad is paramount, especially given the increasing global competition in space exploration.

Authorities will be closely monitoring the situation, and further updates are expected as assessments progress. The global space community is watching with bated breath, as the implications of this incident extend beyond Russia, highlighting vulnerabilities in international space operations.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and share your thoughts on the potential impacts of this launchpad damage on future space missions.