Launch Site - Russia

The launch site for all Russian manned missions is the Baikonur Cosmodrome, located near Tyuratam in Kazakhstan.  The launch center is the largest in the world, covering 6700 square kilometers.  More than 1000 launches have been conducted from this site.

Military Launch Complex

Some facilities at the launch complex are used to support the launch of Russian military spacecraft.

Energia Launch Complex

The Energia heavy lift booster is launched from here.  The Energia was used to carry the Russian Space Shuttle into space in 1988.

Soyuz Launch Complex

The Soyuz Launch Vehicle has been used to carry cosmonauts to all Russian space stations, including Mir.  Hundreds of other Soyuz launch vehicles have been used to launch satellites from this site.

Proton Launch Complex

The Proton launch complex has been used to launch the modules for Russian space stations.  Almost 200 Proton vehicles have been launched, carrying spacecraft into Earth orbit and toward other planets.

Zenit Launch Complex

The Zenit launch vehicle was first launched in 1985.  The Zenit vehicle is proposed to launch some space station components.

Tyuratam/Leninsk

Most of the workers for the Baikonur Cosmodrome live in the cities of Tyuratam and Leninsk.

Launch Complex for First Spacecraft

This area includes vehicle processing facilities and the launch pads for many of the early Soviet launches, including Sputnik, Vostok and Cosmos.
