On November 27, 2025, the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft successfully launched from the 31st platform of the Baikonur International Space Station. The crew included cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikhayev, and NASA astronaut Christopher Williams. The spacecraft arrived and docked with the International Space Station as usual, and everything was fine with the crew.
Roscosmos reported damage to "several components of the launch pad," while industry experts reported a general failure of the pad. The state corporation promised to repair the damage quickly. At the same time, many experts expressed the opinion that Russia had lost the ability to conduct manned space flights for the first time since 1961.
The rocket's engine gas flow reportedly damaged the launch pad. Roscosmos said some elements of the pad were damaged and promised a speedy repair using spare parts.
Space experts, analyzing the launch video, claimed that the service compartment was damaged.
The launch pad will now need to be repaired urgently, or the other one, the Gagarin launch pad (pad No. 1), which has already been transferred to Kazakhstan for use as the National Museum of Cosmonautics, will need to be modernized.
