What was supposed to be a routine Soyuz launch turned into a more complicated story on Thursday after specialists discovered that parts of the Baikonur launch pad had been damaged during liftoff.
While Roscosmos said repairs would happen quickly — and assured that spare parts are already on hand — the incident sparked immediate concern among space analysts watching closely.
Experts Spot the Issue in Real Time
Space commentator Vitaly Yegorov was one of the first to notice something wasn’t quite right.
During the live broadcast, he pointed out that the rocket’s exhaust plume appeared to rip off a large piece of the launch table.
He didn’t downplay the moment, calling it a serious problem and reminding viewers that this particular pad has been central to Russia’s ISS missions since 2018.
Broader Consequences for the ISS Program
The concern goes beyond Russia’s own operations.
Science writer Georgy Trishkin stressed that the Vostochny and Plesetsk sites aren’t equipped for launching crewed or cargo missions to the ISS.
If Baikonur faces long repair delays, he warned, it risks disrupting the flow of supplies and personnel to the station.
In that scenario, other international partners would have to launch extra missions to keep the ISS running smoothly.
The Crew Makes It Safely to Orbit
Despite the ground-side drama, the Soyuz MS-28 mission itself went according to plan.
The spacecraft, carrying Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev, and NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, successfully docked with the International Space Station on November 27.
Roscosmos confirmed that all three crew members are doing well and settling into their work aboard the orbital outpost.
What Comes Next for Baikonur and the ISS
With the crew safely in orbit, the next big focus is the repair timeline for the damaged launch pad.
Engineers will assess the full extent of the impact and carry out the necessary fixes.
How quickly the work is completed could shape the pace of upcoming ISS missions — not just for Russia, but potentially for the entire international program.
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