Baikonur Cosmodrome Damaged After Russia’s Soyuz MS-28 Launch to ISS

Russia’s Soyuz MS-28 mission to the International Space Station faced an unexpected setback when the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad in Kazakhstan sustained significant damage. Despite the successful docking of two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut, a mobile servicing unit collapsed right after liftoff. The incident raises serious concerns for ongoing Soyuz and Progress crewed missions, potentially causing major delays in Russia’s space operations. Roscosmos has assured that repairs will occur swiftly, but experts suggest this marks the first major disruption to Russian crewed launches since 1961. Space exploration continues to serve as a crucial bridge in US-Russia relations, even amidst geopolitical tensions and after the US presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. Stay tuned for updates on international space cooperation, Baikonur repair progress, and its impact on future ISS missions.