Baikonur's Launchpad 31 crippled after Soyuz rocket disaster

A recent launch from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome has left Launchpad 31 severely damaged. The incident occurred when a mobile service tower, not properly secured, was destroyed by the force of a Soyuz rocket’s engines. The tower was torn from its position and fell into the flame trench below. The launchpad is the only one at Baikonur capable of supporting both cargo and crewed missions to the International Space Station. Its damage raises concerns about future missions, including the next Soyuz launch, originally set for 21 December. A postponement is now widely expected.

The next crewed mission from Baikonur had been planned for mid-July 2026, but this timeline is also in doubt. Repairs to the tower may be impossible, and designing a new one could take years. This leaves SpaceX as the sole provider for crewed ISS missions, increasing pressure on the company to sustain its operations.

Meanwhile, Boeing’s Starliner programme faces its own challenges. Following setbacks in its first crewed test flight, the spacecraft will now fly uncrewed on its next mission. The damage to Baikonur’s Launchpad 31 disrupts upcoming ISS missions. Without a functional tower, delays to both cargo and crewed launches appear unavoidable. SpaceX’s role as the only crewed transport option to the ISS becomes even more critical as a result.