Roscosmos · Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
Launch Pads
9 active (Soyuz-2 × 3, Proton-M × 2, Zenit × 1, Zenith-3SLB, and reserve pads)as of [1]Many historic pads retired; total complex has 52 pads historicallyAnnual Launches
~15as of [1]Max Payload (LEO)
22,800 kg to LEO (Proton-M)as of [1]Established
1955
Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. Located in the Kazakh steppe, it was the departure point for Sputnik, Yuri Gagarin's historic flight, and has served as Russia's primary crewed launch site for decades. Though located in Kazakhstan, Russia leases the facility through 2050.
| Region | Asia |
| Country | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan |
| Coordinates | 45.9649° N, 63.3052° E |
| Ownership | International Consortium |
| Parent Entity | Roscosmos State Corporation (Russian Federation) |
| Regulatory Regime | Roscosmos (lease through 2050) / Kazakhstan KazCosmos co-oversight under 1994 lease agreement |
| Latitude Advantage | 45.96°N — moderate inclination launch site; default Soyuz/Proton azimuth places ISS at 51.6° inclination |
| Azimuth Range | 35°–99° (LEO, ISS-compatible 51.6° inclination, SSO) |
| Human Spaceflight | Active crewed launches |
| Website | https://en.roscosmos.ru/ |
Anchor Tenants
Active Users
Strategic Value
Only site in the world currently certified for routine Soyuz crewed flights; Russia pays Kazakhstan ~$115M/year in lease fees, locked through 2050. Strategic dependence on a foreign-territory pad is the principal driver of Vostochny development.
Recent Activity
Soyuz MS-27 crewed launch to ISS completed April 2025; ongoing Progress resupply cadence to Russian segment of ISS through 2026.
2027
Final ISS-bound Soyuz crew rotations as station nears retirement window
2028
Soyuz-5 (Irtysh) maiden flight from refurbished Zenit pad
2050
Russia–Kazakhstan lease agreement expires