Russia Resumes Launches from Repaired Baikonur Cosmodrome Site

On March 22, 2026, Russia successfully launched an unmanned Progress MS-33 cargo ship from Site 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, marking the first use of the site since it was damaged during a Soyuz MS-28 lift-off in November 2025. The launch pad had been out of commission for several months due to the incident, which did not result in injuries but temporarily halted Russia's ability to send crew or cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). Repairs on the damaged section were completed earlier in March 2026, allowing for the resumption of operations. The Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in Kazakhstan, remains under Russian lease until at least 2050. This event highlights ongoing challenges faced by Russia's space program, which has seen multiple setbacks in recent years, including the loss of its first lunar lander in 2023.

Key Points: • Russia launched the Progress MS-33 cargo ship from Baikonur on March 22, 2026. • Site 31 was damaged during a Soyuz MS-28 launch in November 2025, halting operations for months. • Repairs were completed earlier in March 2026, allowing for the resumption of launches.