Brutkey

AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

It appears that during the launch of the Soyuz MS-28 crew vehicle to the ISS on Nov 27, the launch pad in Baikonur suffered severe damage.

The retractable mobile service platform, which sits underneath the launch pad and is used to service the tail end of the rocket, broke apart and collapsed into the flame duct below the pad.

It might take months or years to repair it. Until then, service to the ISS from Russia will be on hold.
☹☹️
https://www.russianspaceweb.com/baikonur_r7_31.html#cabin
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=63952.0;all
6/n

1. Pic of the launch pad after the mishap, showing the mobile service platform lying crumpled in the flame pit. 2. Diagram of the launch pad with a rocket and the deployed mobile service platform below it. 3. Illustration of the mobile service platform.
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Everything looked fine during launch preparations for the Soyuz MS-28 mission to the ISS under blue skies at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

As in all launches from Baikonur, a Russian Orthodox Priest performed the customary blessing of the rocket and the mission.

Thankfully, the mission itself was successfully and all 3 astronauts arrived safely at the ISS.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720330533678/with/54948165793
7/n

Pics of the ISS Expedition 74 Soyuz Rollout in Baikonur. 1. The Soyuz rocket is seen after having been rolled out by train to the launch pad, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at Site 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) 2. The Soyuz rocket is raised vertical, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at site 31 launch pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) 3. Russian Orthodox Priest blesses the Soyuz rocket, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Victor Zelentsov)
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Colorful artwork adorned the lower section of the Soyuz rocket at Baikonur.

The artwork was created by children undergoing cancer treatment from 50 cities across Russia and 14 countries. 130 of them attended the launch.

"Rocket of Dreams" is a space art therapy program run by the UNITY Foundation, which partners with organizations like Roscosmos and MoonDAO to bring hope to children and adults with cancer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720330533678/with/54943853078
https://sputnikmediabank.com/media/9057706.html
https://www.moondao.com/proposal/181
8/n

1. Pic of the lower section of the Soyuz rocket, raised vertical, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at site 31 launch pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The section is covered in colorful artwork by children. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) 2. Pic of Roscosmos State Space Corporation Director General Dmitry Bakanov and participants of the Rocket of Dreams project of the Unity Foundation after the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a rocket with the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. For the first time in history, the rocket has been decorated with drawings made by children suffering from cancer. Children from 50 cities across Russia and 14 countries across the world contributed to the project by depicting their cosmic dreams. Author: Grigory Sysoev Credit: Sputnik Source: Sputnik
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Few pics of the artwork by young cancer patients being installed on the Soyuz rocket in the assembly building at Baikonur.

Source: https://x.com/robert_savitsky/status/1991880664422224189
9/n

3 pics pics of the artwork by young cancer patients being installed on the Soyuz rocket in the assembly building at Baikonur.