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Rocket pages:
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Wheels of progress: An interior view of the assembly building at Site 31 in Baikonur. R-7/Soyuz rocket infrastructure overview:
Site 31 and 32 At the end of 1958, a year-and-half after the R-7 ballistic missile started flying, the second launch complex for the same rocket was founded at Site 31, east of the original launch facilities in Tyuratam. Unlike the test launch complex at Site 1 and 2, the Site 31 facility was planned as an operational and training "battle station" for the R-7 missile. The new complex included the launch pad, the MIK assembly building, the MIK GCh building for the processing of the nuclear warhead, disel-powered energy generating facility and the new residential complex at Site 32. Based on experience gained during the construction at Site 1 and 2, the flame trench at Site 31 launch pad was scaled down in comparison to that of at Site 1. The assembly and support facilities were also placed much closer to the launch pad. The complex was completed at the end of 1960. On Feb. 27, 1961, the first R-7 ICBM blasted off from Site 31. As R-7's role as a carrier of the nuclear weapons diminished, the Site 31 along with Site 1 was re-purposed for space operations, including manned launches. According to the Russian press, during 2005, the launch complex and the processing facilities at Site 31 was being refurbished for the Soyuz-2 rocket. As of 2006, out of 100 Russian manned launches, a total 12 lifted off from Site 31, according to Roskosmos. Manned operations return to Site 31 In 2009, to support the anticipated increase of the International Space Station crew from three to six, Russia had to double manned launches from two to four annually. The number of Progress cargo supply missions was to increase as well. As a result, various upgrades were conducted at Site 31 during 2007 and 2008, to enable manned launches from both Site 1 and Site 31, Kazakhstan Today reported, quoting Baikonur officials. Upgrades covered the fueling system and flight control bunker. Also, a new air-conditioning system for the payload section of the rocket, a clean room and communications cables were installed. At the time, the first launch of the Progress spacecraft from Site 31 was expected in 2008 and the first manned Soyuz (after a long break) would blast off from the same pad in 2009. In reality, the first cargo ship lifted off from Site 31 on Feb. 10, 2009. In April 2011, the head of Roskosmos, Anatoly Perminov, said that Site 31 would be ready for manned launches by the end of that year. Upgrades for Fregat-SB During 2009, a processing building at Site 31 -- MIK 40 -- was upgraded with a new work place for handling the Fregat-SB upper stage, which would be used with the Zenit-3M (Zenit-2SLB) rocket. This page is maintained by Anatoly Zak Last update: April 9, 2011 All rights reserved |
PICTURE GALLERY
The R-7 ballistic missile on the launch pad at Site 31 in Baikonur circa 1960. Copyright: RussianSpaceWeb.com
The Soyuz rocket during the processing inside MIK 32 assembly building. Click to enlarge. Copyright © 2000 Anatoly Zak
The housing and support complex at Site 32. Copyright © 2001 Anatoly Zak
The Soyuz-2-1a rocket with the Metop spacecraft on the launch pad at Site 31 in Baikonur on July 14, 2006. Credit: Roskosmos
The Soyuz-FG rocket is being installed on the launch pad at Site 31 in Baikonur on Oct. 18, 2007. Credit: Roskosmos
Progress M-66 lifts off from Site 31 in Baikonur on Feb. 10, 2009. Credit: Roskosmos
The Progress M-07M cargo ship at Site 31 shortly before launch on Sept. 10, 2010. Credit: TsENKI |
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