Russian Soyuz Rocket Launch Leaves Baikonur Pad Damaged
The Russian Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft carried two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) in a textbook launch. The mission, led by the Russian space agency Roscosmos, saw the crew safely dock with the ISS on Thursday. But the celebration was short-lived after officials discovered significant damage to the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad following the launch.
Space Success Meets Earthly Headaches
The Baikonur Cosmodrome is no stranger to drama. While the mission’s crew is floating in zero gravity, engineers back on Earth now face the gravity of repairing a vital piece of space infrastructure. The launch pad damage casts a shadow over the triumph, reminding us that even the most advanced space missions are only as strong as their foundations—literally.
Well, at least the rocket didn’t forget its passport at home. All jokes aside, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges of space travel. As Roscosmos engineers roll up their sleeves to fix the battered pad, everyone’s hoping the next launch comes with a little less drama and a lot more concrete.
Sources:
Reuters: Baikonur launch pad damaged after Russian Soyuz launch to International Space Station