
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
Live long and loiter: Why NASA's ESCAPADE probes will wait a year in space before heading to Mars - 2
The most effective method to Boost Benefits in Gold Speculation: Master Techniques and Tips - 3
Taylor Swift's 'The End of an Era' docuseries: Everything you need to know, plus how to watch for less - 4
Bennu asteroid samples provide clues about solar system origins and 'space gum' - 5
German finance minister seeks better market access in China talks
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS to pass closest to Earth on Friday
A quick recap of 'Stranger Things' Seasons 1-4, plus key episodes to rewatch before Volume 1 of the final season drops
Kansas school officials report high student illness, dismiss early
The most effective method to Promoter for Cutthroat Medical attendant Compensations in Your Medical services Office
Telescope in Chile captures stunning new picture of a cosmic butterfly
Kate Hudson, 46, says she doesn't need long workouts to feel good
Step by step instructions to Show Children the Significance of Appropriate Handshaking
As infant botulism cases climb to 31, recalled ByHeart baby formula is still on some store shelves
The Solution to Individual budget: Dominating Cash The board












