"With a key Russian launch pad out of service, NASA is accelerating the launch of two Cargo Dragon spaceships in order to ensure that astronauts on board the International Space Station have all the supplies they need next year. According to the space agency's internal schedule, the next Dragon supply mission, CRS-34, is moving forward one month from June 2026 to May. And the next Dragon supply mission after this, CRS-35, has been advanced three months from November to August."
"The issue occurred when a Soyuz rocket launched Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev, as well as NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station. The rocket had no difficulties, but a large mobile platform below the rocket was not properly secured prior to the launch and crashed into the flame trench below, taking the pad offline."
A Baikonur launch pad was taken offline after a mobile platform was not properly secured and crashed into the flame trench during a Soyuz rocket launch. The Soyuz vehicle itself completed an eight-month crew launch without reported difficulties. NASA has accelerated two Cargo Dragon resupply missions, moving CRS-34 from June 2026 to May and CRS-35 from November to August, to ensure the International Space Station has necessary supplies. Site 31 at Baikonur is currently the only Russian pad configured for Soyuz, Progress and Soyuz crew launches. Roscosmos has begun planning repairs and parts deliveries and estimates at least four months to restore the pad.
Read at Ars Technica
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