Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. Situated in the desert of Kazakhstan, it was originally established during the Soviet era and continues to play a pivotal role in space exploration.
The site was chosen in 1955 by Sergei Korolev, the Chief Designer of the Soviet space program, for its remote location which reduced the risk of debris falling on populated areas. Construction began the same year, and the first launch occurred on May 15, 1957, when an R-7 rocket took off from the cosmodrome. This rocket later became the basis for the Soyuz rocket, which has been a workhorse for Russian space missions.
Baikonur became famous for launching the first human into space, Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961, aboard Vostok 1. Over the decades, it has been the launch site for numerous missions including the Sputnik program, Luna program, and various Soyuz missions.
Located in the Kyzylorda Region of Kazakhstan, Baikonur is leased to Russia until 2050. The cosmodrome spans over 6,717 square kilometers, making it one of the largest space launch complexes in the world. Its strategic location provides an advantage for launches into various orbits, especially geostationary transfer orbits.
Baikonur hosts several launch pads, assembly buildings, and other infrastructure necessary for space launches. Some notable facilities include:
Today, Baikonur remains crucial for both manned and unmanned space missions. It is the primary launch site for the International Space Station missions using Soyuz spacecraft. Additionally, it supports launches for various commercial and military satellites.
Despite its historical ties to the Soviet Union, Baikonur has become a site of international collaboration. The European Space Agency (ESA), for instance, has utilized Baikonur for launches of its Automated Transfer Vehicle to resupply the ISS.
With the increasing interest in space from both governmental and private sectors, Baikonur's role in space exploration is expected to grow. However, competition from newer launch sites like SpaceX Starbase in the United States and Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana might influence its future operations.