Space History Milestone: Baikonur Cosmodrome Marks 70 Years of Space Exploration and Human Orbit Initiations
BLAST OFF TO BAIKONUR: COSMODROME'S 70-YEAR JOURNEY
Step into the ** Stars,** right here in Kazakhstan! Welcome to Baikonur, the world's first and largest cosmodrome, a straight-up testament to humanity's technological advancements since the 20th century. This year, Baikonur marks a monstrous milestone — 70 whopping years of space exploration glory!
Secret in the Steppe
Baikonur's history traces back to Feb. 12, 1955, as the Soviet government decreed the establishment of Scientific Research Test Site No. 5 in the wild, wide Kazakh steppe. The construction was as hush-hush as a bank robber's scheme, with military trains sneaking into Tyuratam station, while rumors swirled up of a grand stadium underway! To maintain this facade, a shammy wooden sports facility popped up, diverting attention from the real launch complex. The entire dig Site No.10, designed as Baikonur itself, was broken down into numbered sites.
The site's location was carefully chosen to cater to the demands of the Soviet space program. Right smack in the middle of the Cold War arms race, the Soviet Union concocted the R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile, the groundwork for space launch vehicles. And who'd have thought the Kazakh steppe would be up for the task? Its thin population, existing railway network, and proximity to the Syrdarya River made it a logistical masterstroke. The careful choice of a location near the equator also allowed rockets to capitalize on Earth's rotational speed for more efficient launches, thanks to little old Sergey Korolev!
Redefining History
On May 15, 1957, the cork popped on the champagne as construction was completed, just in time for the cosmos' birthday! The first test launch didn't quite go as planned, nor did the second one in July. But on Aug. 21, the R-7 intercontinental missile roared into the sky, confirming the site's capabilities. The world changed forever on Oct. 4, when Baikonur sent Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, into orbit. A transparent sobaka named Laika, the first canine astronaut, launched into the cosmos the following month on Nov. 3.
April 12, 1961, went down as a historic date in the books when cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin duked it out with gravity and won — making history with the first human spaceflight aboard Vostok 1, circling Earth in 108 minutes! The cosmodrome was renamed after this audacious act, while the nearby settlement became the glitzy city of Leninsk. The name, initially intended to wiggle foreign intelligence agents, continued to be recognized over time!
Present Day: Baikonur and Beyond
Today, Baikonur continues to be a cornerstone forglobal space exploration. A stampede of manned and cargo spacecraft, satellites, and rockets launch from the site annually, aiming high for the International Space Station (ISS). In 2004, a cooperation gig between Kazakhstan and Russia was sealed, extending the lease of Baikonur until 2050. As of current, the site conducts over 20 launches yearly. Over the years, more than a whopping 5,000 rockets have taken flight from Baikonur, including 3,000 space missions. Over 150 astronauts, including brave Kazakhstan’s Toktar Aubakirov, Talgat Mussabayev, and Aidyn Aimbetov, have soared into space from these launchpads!
Baikonur’s whopping 6,717 square kilometers encompass 12 launch pads (six in action), 11 assembly and test buildings, four fuel stations, a measuring complex with a computing center, and an oxygen and nitrogen plant. Its infrastructure goes the distance with two first-class airfields, over 400 kilometers of railway tracks, 1,000 kilometers of highways, more than 600 transformer substations, 6,000 kilometers of power lines, and 2,500 kilometers ofcommunication networks. The cosmodrome's magic is brought to life by more than 10,000 employees!
Snap a Seat on the Baikonur Tourist Train
Once a top-secret military base, Baikonur now welcomes the world! But remember to secure your passes, preferably 2 solid months ahead of time. Tour operators offer an on-the-ball lineup of tours, culminating in a heart-stopping rocket launch. Gobble up history as you explore active and decommissioned launch pads, gawk at whizzy spacecraft mock-ups, and marvel at museum exhibits. Witness pre-launch preparations, the installation of rockets into upright positions, and the spine-tingling astronaut send-off ceremonies. The pièce de résistance is the launch itself, beheld from a safe, designated viewing post. The closest major city with convenient access is Kyzylorda, mere minutes away by car or train.
Sightseeing: The Space Exploration Oscars
The Museum of the History of Baikonur Cosmodrome is a must-see attraction, nestled in the heart of the action. This two-story beast showcases legendary space exploration history, featuring meteorite fragments, spacecraft windows, and equipment from past missions. Immerse yourself in cosmonauts' special-tailored suits and salivate over a whopping 200 dish menu! A life-size model of the Mir space station takes center stage, alongside a replica of the ISS. Don't skip the demonstration of rocket staging, where spacecraft jettison different parts as they ascend into space.
Boasting more than five hours of jaw-dropping exhibits, the Museum of the History of Baikonur Cosmodrome is an awe-inspiring landmark in the grand book of global space history. Join humanity's journey beyond bitchin' Earth from the heart of Baikonur!
- The Museum of the History of Baikonur Cosmodrome, a testament to the region's environmental-science and technology prowess, showcases various artifacts from space missions, including spacecraft windows and different parts of rockets.
- The location of Baikonur, initially selected to cater to the demands of the Soviet space program during the Cold War, is a prime example of how the global lifestyle intertwines with scientific advancements, as evidenced by its thin population, existing railway network, and proximity to the Syrdarya River.
- As Baikonur continues to play a pivotal role in the world of space-and-astronomy, its finances are closely tied to the space industry, with annual launches of manned and cargo spacecraft, satellites, and rockets for the International Space Station (ISS), generating substantial income for Kazakhstan's economy.
