Baikonur Cosmodrome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Baikonur Cosmodrome
Russian: Космодром Байконур
Kosmodrom Baykonur
|
|
|---|---|
Baikonur Cosmodrome's "Gagarin's Start" Soyuz launch pad before the rollout of Soyuz TMA-13, 10 October 2008.
|
|
A Soyuz rocket takes off from Baikonur
|
|
| Summary | |
| Airport type | Spaceport |
| Owner/Operator |  Roscosmos Russian Aerospace Forces |
| Location | Kazakhstan |
| Time zone | UTC+06:00 (+06:00) |
| Elevation AMSL | 90 m / 300 ft |
| Coordinates | 45°57′54″N 63°18′18″E / 45.96500°N 63.30500°E |
The Baikonur Cosmodrome (Russian: Космодро́м Байкону́р, romanized: Kosmodrom Baykonur) is a very important spaceport in southern Kazakhstan. Think of it as a giant airport, but for rockets and spacecraft instead of airplanes! It's the first and busiest space launch site in the world.
Baikonur is currently used by Russia. It is managed by Roscosmos, which is Russia's space agency, and the Russian Aerospace Forces. The cosmodrome was originally built by the Soviet Union in the late 1950s. Many rockets are launched from Baikonur every year. These launches are for commercial, military, and scientific missions. All Russian crewed spaceflights also lift off from Baikonur.
Contents
What is Baikonur Cosmodrome?
Baikonur Cosmodrome is a huge area with many launch pads, control centers, and other buildings. It's where rockets are prepared and launched into space. It's like a special port for spacecraft.
Where is Baikonur Located?
This spaceport is in the country of Kazakhstan, which is in Central Asia. Even though it's in Kazakhstan, Russia leases and operates it. This agreement allows Russia to use the facilities until the year 2050.
Who Manages Baikonur?
The daily operations and launches at Baikonur are managed by two main groups:
- Roscosmos: This is the space agency of Russia. They are in charge of most of Russia's space programs, including sending astronauts to the International Space Station.
- Russian Aerospace Forces: This part of Russia's military also uses Baikonur for various missions.
Baikonur's Amazing Firsts in Space
Baikonur is famous for being the launch site of many historic "firsts" in space exploration. It played a huge role in the early days of the Space Race.
The First Satellite: Sputnik 1
On October 4, 1957, the world changed forever when Sputnik 1 was launched from Baikonur. Sputnik 1 was the very first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. It was a small, shiny sphere that beeped as it flew over our heads. This event marked the beginning of the Space Age.
The First Human in Space: Yuri Gagarin
Just a few years later, on April 12, 1961, another incredible event happened at Baikonur. A rocket called Vostok 1 lifted off, carrying Yuri Gagarin. He became the first human being to travel into space and orbit the Earth. This was a huge step for humanity!
Gagarin's Start Launchpad
The launchpad used for both the Sputnik 1 and Vostok 1 missions is now known as Gagarin's Start. It's a very special place in space history. Many important missions, including those carrying astronauts to the International Space Station, still launch from this historic pad.
Images for kids
-
A U-2 spy plane photograph of R-7 launch pad in Tyuratam, taken on 5 August 1957.
-
A Soyuz rocket is erected into position at the Baikonur Cosmodrome's Pad 1/5 (Gagarin's Start) on 24 March 2009. The rocket launched the crew of Expedition 19 and a spaceflight participant on 26 March 2009.
-
A Soyuz TMA-16 launch vehicle being transported to launchpad at Baikonur in 2009.
-
Buran at Baikonur Museum
See also
In Spanish: Cosmódromo de Baikonur para niños
