How Kazakhstan, where the world's first cosmodrome is located, celebrated its anniversary. A Kazinform correspondent spoke with Amangeldy Bekishev, head of the department for ground space infrastructure of the "Baikonur" complex of the Aerospace Committee (Kazkosmos) of the RCNIAP.
On June 2, 2025, the Baikonur space complex will celebrate its 70th anniversary. The official date of the foundation of the space complex, which includes the cosmodrome and the city of the same name, is June 2, 1955 - the day the organizational structure of the test site was approved and military unit No. 11284 was created, which became the headquarters of the grandiose space facility.
Mr. Bekishev, what What does Baikonur mean to you?
For me personally, Baikonur is the sacred land of the ancestors, which the great philosopher, poet and composer Korkut Ata, searching for the secret of immortality, defined as “zher kindigi“, “the umbilical cord of the Earth“, as a sign of the future cosmodrome. Therefore, it is probably no coincidence that the founder of Soviet cosmonautics, Academician Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, chose this region for rocket launches.
Translated from Kazakh, Baikonur means a rich valley: the cosmodrome is located in the Kazakh steppe on an area of 6717 square kilometers. It is a symbol of world cosmonautics, a key element in the development of the world space industry. For our country, “Baikonur“ is not only history, a symbol of scientific and technological progress, but also an important economic asset that ensures cooperation with the leading space powers.
“Baikonur“ experienced the historical time of the pioneers of world space, the heyday of Soviet cosmonautics. After the collapse of the USSR and the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, in 1994 the space complex “Baikonur“ was leased to the Russian Federation in accordance with an intergovernmental agreement for the period until 2050. Russia annually pays Kazakhstan 115 million USD as rent for the use of the “Baikonur“ complex.
How does Kazakhstan exercise control over activities on the territory of the cosmodrome?
The constitutional rights of Kazakhs in “Baikonur“ are provided by the institution of the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the Baikonur Complex. Kazakhstan exercises control over space activities through joint commissions, the main of which is the Intergovernmental Commission on the Baikonur Complex; The Administration of the Baikonur Cosmodrome of the Aerospace Committee of the International Center for Space Research and Astronomy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the enterprises of Kazkosmos work on the spot. The Kazakh side is obliged to coordinate launches, monitor the environment and the migration regime.
Baikonur is a place where dreams turn into achievements — the legendary cosmodrome is 70 years old
The main issue that worries Kazakhs is the environmental safety of launches. How is environmental monitoring carried out in the area of the cosmodrome and in the zones of fall of rocket stages?
The enterprise „Kazkosmos“ — RSP „Infrakos“ — is responsible for the environmental protection of all space rocket launches. All information on this issue is annually included in the National Report on the State of the Environment and Use of Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and is published on the official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan. After the launches, the Russian side, under the supervision of the Kazakh side, collects and removes all fragments of detached parts of launch vehicles from the crash sites, after which technical reclamation of the crash sites is carried out.
In 2015, Kazakhstan and Russia agreed that launches of „Proton-M“ rockets should be discontinued after 2026. The Russian side stated that it would stop production of „Proton-M“ and completely replace it with an environmentally friendly rocket “Angara“. To date, restrictions have been established for new launches of rockets with toxic fuel. Together with our Russian colleagues, we are implementing a project to create a rocket-space complex (RCS) “Baiterek“ based on the environmentally friendly rocket “Soyuz-5“.
How are things going with “Baiterek“ today?
Work on the project is in full swing. Repair, construction, installation and preventive maintenance activities are being carried out at the launch and technological sites of the rocket complex. Phased delivery of manufactured products to Baikonur is being carried out at industrial enterprises.
The first test launch of the Baiterek spacecraft is scheduled for December 2025. After three test launches of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle between 2025 and 2027, commissioning is scheduled for 2028. Then, from 2028 to 2039, four launches per year are planned, three of which are guaranteed by the Russian side in accordance with the intergovernmental agreement on the creation of the Baiterek spacecraft.
I would like to emphasize that this facility is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan: firstly, it is an opportunity and a necessity for preserving Baikonur, developing high technologies, creating new jobs and generally strengthening our country's positions in space exploration. In addition, Baiterek reduces dependence on foreign cosmodromes and opens access to commercial launches, which strengthens the economic potential of the republic. Baikonur turns 70.
What are the future plans for the development of the Baikonur space complex?
Recently, journalists have been interested in the issue of early termination of the lease agreement for Baikonur and even its possible preservation. As I have already said, the main project for preserving Baikonur is the ecological rocket complex Baiterek, and we are making every effort to launch it.
„Baikonur“ remains the main launch site for Russia. Only from the Kazakh cosmodrome „Roscosmos“ launches rockets to the International Space Station.
„Baikonur“ was and remains the birthplace of cosmonautics. For 70 years since „Baikonur“ Over 150 people have been in space, including our Kazakh cosmonauts Toktar Aubakirov, Talgat Musabayev, Aydin Aimbetov.
Speaking of the development of Kazakh spaceflight as a whole, today Kazakhstan is actively developing its own satellite programs, aerospace industry and human resources. The space industry is becoming part of the national economy, new knowledge. And here “Baikonur“ helps us not to catch up, but to overtake technological development. The cosmodrome opens up new opportunities for the younger generation of Kazakhs. Universities and research centers are actively involved in space projects and aerospace technologies, which are being developed by the local engineering school.
In the field of space, Kazakhstan demonstrates an example of a balanced and pragmatic policy. We maintain strategic control over the Baikonur complex, participate in making key decisions and ensure the protection of national interests.
“Baikonur“ is not only a technical facility, but also a part of the cultural and historical heritage. It combines engineering thought, scientific inspiration and human courage. Baikonur is a place where dreams turn into achievements. This space complex is the property not only of the people of Kazakhstan, but also of all humanity. And our task is to preserve it.
The news was published on the basis of an information exchange agreement between Fakti.bg and Kazinform