Russia has launched a rocket from Site 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome for the first time since it was damaged during lift-off last November, video from Russia's Roscosmos space agency showed Sunday.
Site 31 was Russia's only operational launch pad for crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
Part of the launch site collapsed during lift-off of Soyuz MS-28 in November last year, temporarily preventing Russia from being able to send cosmonauts into space.
Repairs on the damaged section of the site wrapped up earlier this month, according to Roscosmos.
Video on Sunday showed Russia launching the unmanned Progress MS-33 cargo ship to the ISS from Site 31.
“The flight is normal,” a commentator on Russia's Roscosmos space agency said on the video.
The Baikonur Cosmodrome is located in Kazakhstan, but is being used by Russia under a lease set to last until at least 2050.
Once considered a pioneer in space exploration, Russia's space program has faced numerous setbacks since the fall of the Soviet Union, including the loss of its first lunar lander in almost 50 years in 2023.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
