Soyuz launch causes damage to the only Russian platform used for ISS flights

A Russian-American crew successfully arrived at the International Space Station, despite a setback at the launch site. The launch, which carried Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikaev, and NASA astronaut Chris Williams, reached the ISS safely on Thursday. However, the operation caused damage to the only launch platform used for crewed missions to the station.

The affected structure, located at Baikonur Cosmodromes Site 31/6 in Kazakhstan, reportedly collapsed following the Soyuz MS-28 launch. This platform is critical for booster preparations before liftoff. Roscosmos confirmed that inspections were conducted after the launch, following standard safety procedures.

Site 31/6 has a long history, first operating in 1961 and supporting over 400 launches. Since 2020, it has been dedicated exclusively to Russian crewed and cargo missions to the ISS. The timeline for repairs remains uncertain, and it is unclear if alternative Russian launch pads could temporarily accommodate crewed flights.

An uncrewed cargo mission to resupply the ISS is scheduled for December, raising questions about future launch logistics.

Author: Sophia Brooks