Situation with the launch of 'Soyuz MS-28'
Russia may lose the ability to send cosmonauts into orbit due to serious damages to the launch complex at Baikonur after an accident during the launch of the spacecraft 'Soyuz MS-28', which occurred on November 27. This incident has become critical for the Russian space program, as launch complex No. 31, where the launch took place, has become the only one for manned launches at Baikonur after the transfer of the Gagarin Launch Pad No. 1 to the Kazakhstan Museum in 2018.
Over 64 years of operation from launch pad No. 31, there have been about 500 launches, which indicates its importance for space programs. Over the past seven years, this launch complex has supported the Russian program for the International Space Station (ISS). Repairing the damaged complex may take up to two years, significantly complicating Russia's prospects in the field of manned space flights.
Vitaly Yegorov, an expert in the field of cosmonautics, stated: 'In fact, from this day, Russia has lost the ability to launch people into space, something that has not happened since 1961.'
Consequences for the Russian space program
This situation has resulted from serious changes in Russia's space policy, including failures in plans to update the Gagarin launch site, which was planned back in 2018 but was thwarted after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Thus, the events surrounding the launch of 'Soyuz MS-28' may have far-reaching consequences for the Russian space program.
The loss of the ability to launch manned space missions could significantly impact not only Russia's status in the space sector but also its international obligations under cooperation programs such as the International Space Station. As Russia has already faced difficulties in implementing its space projects due to economic sanctions and political circumstances, this incident may lead to further diminishing its role on the global stage in the field of cosmonautics.