
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
As world leaders enter climate talks, people in poverty have the most at stake - 2
Flu season is underway. What are common symptoms to watch for? - 3
the 6 Shrewd Beds for seniors: A Complete Survey - 4
US FDA investigates Takeda's blood disorder drug after pediatric death - 5
In blow to Lula, Brazil Congress revives controversial environmental bill
Artemis II astronauts make long-distance call to the space station as they head home from the moon
I binged all 24 Hallmark Christmas movies in less than 30 days. I emerged a changed man.
Vote in favor of your Number one Kind of Gems
Meet the Stars of the Feline World: Well known Pet Feline Varieties
'Wuthering Heights' trailer features Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in a steamy forbidden romance
New funding transforms lives by expanding electricity access across Africa
Korean Air takes emergency action as fuel prices soar
Vial marked 'Polonium 210' sparks scare during German Easter egg hunt
Police break up illegal chicken slaughter in Germany












