Russia's Space Program Faces Setback After Soyuz Launch Incident | AI News Digest
A serious incident unfolded at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan during the launch of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft. Moments after takeoff, the mobile service structure failed, causing damage to the launch pad and exposing a substantial metal component within the rocket's exhaust duct. Preliminary assessments indicate that a service module did not retract as planned prior to liftoff, leading to this unfortunate event. This launch pad serves as the only operational site for crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS), raising concerns that upcoming Soyuz and Progress missions could face significant delays. Consequently, Russia finds itself without the ability to send astronauts into space for the first time in 60 years. The State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS confirmed the incident, noting that repair efforts would begin shortly, although no specific timeline for completion was provided.
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