Russia will return the oldest and most famous launching ramp of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, also known as “Gagarin's Start”, in Kazakhstan, putting it back on June 1.
Kazakhstan plans to transform the first launch site for the world crew space – which was put out of service in 2019 – in a museum.
“The start of the Gagarin has been put out of service due to its inappropriateness for the launch of new Soyuz-2 rockets, which are now launched from the 31st Cosmodrome platform,” said the Kazakh ministry spokesman for digital development, innovation and the aerospace industry.
To finance the modernization of the site, Russia and Kazakhstan joined the United Arab Emirates and signed a trilateral agreement in 2021.
However, the project was blocked in the middle of changing geopolitical dynamics. The Russia War in Ukraine forced countries to reassess their partnership and the use of Soyuz2 rockets.
Meanwhile, Russia has turned its attention to its own Plesetsk and Vostochny launching sites, going from trade launches to one of them.
Although he still rents Baikonur from Kazakhstan until 2050, he presented in Kazakhstan a list of 234 installations he no longer needs, to be concluded from the rental contract. According to the authorities, 53 have already been accepted by the Kazakh part.
“The Russian part will continue to use the Baikonur cosmodrome in the future. A total of nine launches have been scheduled for 2025, two of whom have been completed,” said the ministry.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan continues to develop its own Baiterek space complex, although progress has been slow. Experts warn that delays, associated with the decreasing relevance of Baikonur, could lead to obsolete infrastructure and missed economic opportunities.
From the launch site to the heritage monument
The start of the Gagarin, also known as the Baikonur 1 or 1/5 site name, has a deep historical meaning. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel in space since this pad. The first artificial satellite of the earth, Spoutnik, was also launched from this pavement.
After reflecting on an upgrade, the Russian space agency Roscosmos initially proposed to transform the launch ramp into a museum, citing the importance of preserving the site as a World Heritage Site. Soon in charge of the project, Kazakhstan hopes to increase the tourist potential of Baikonur by opening it to the public.
“Given the historical significance of the start of Gagarin and in the development of tourism in the Baikonur complex, the Kazakh part, in collaboration with the Russian part, plans to create a complex of museums dedicated to the history of space exploration,” said the Declaration of the Kazakh Ministry.
The future museum will present rockets, space equipment and other artefacts in the history of 70 years of Baikonur.
Both parties will also work on the launching ramp of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Currently, Baikonur's visit needs a special license issued two months in advance, which limits wider access. The ministry said that it was working on reducing the time necessary to obtain the access permit and develop a digital pass.
ADVERTISEMENTThe officials hope that the museum's project will strengthen national and international tourism in the region.
