Soyuz 5 Launch Delayed: Safety Checks Slow Baiterek Project

The initial launch of the Soyuz 5 rocket under the joint Baiterek space project between Russia and Kazakhstan has been postponed. This decision comes as both nations prioritize additional checks for onboard systems and ground equipment. The postponement aims to create optimal conditions for a secure and successful inaugural flight from the new Baiterek complex at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

The Baiterek program is designed to rival private space exploration initiatives. However, the development of the Soyuz 5 rocket has encountered persistent delays, exacerbated by international sanctions first imposed following Crimea's annexation in 2014 and expanded after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These geopolitical factors continue to impact Russia's ambitious space endeavors.

Roscosmos stated that the revised launch date will be set once all testing concludes and all program participants reach an agreement. This setback follows other issues within Russia's space program, including recent damage to a launch pad at Baikonur, which temporarily halted crewed missions and is expected to be repaired by late February.