Visiting an incredible manned spacecraft launch

On the 13^th of September at 3:25 PM a slender shining rocket with a fancy spire on the top soared up in the night sky. Its mighty engines digested tons of fuels in just few dozen seconds, leaving a colorful trail behind the rocket. The trail was so bright that it lighted up an area kilometers far from the launching pad. It lasted only for several seconds while the rocket was still visible high in the sky. A few moments later the giant rocket turned into a small spark and within a couple of minutes one could not distinguish it from plentiful stars studding the Kazakhstan sky. The humanity became one more step closer to the space age.

This was the tiniest episode of the whole Baikonur trip that is arranged by our company. Baikonur is by today the biggest spaceport located in the northwest of Kazakhstan – ex-Soviet republic declared it independence in 1990. It was built amidst the vast and plain prairie spread out in the northern Kazakhstan by the beginning of May 1957. The spaceport was built within 9 months.

Now the Baikonur spaceport is also an only place from where international astronauts and Russian cosmonauts reach the International Space Station. But is not only because of this Baikonur became so popular: tourists all over the world gather there to see manned spaceship launches. Baikonur spaceport (cosmodrome in Russian) is the place in the world where ordinary tourists can see manned and cargo spaceship launch, see real launching pads, visit once secret bunkers and control rooms, learn a lot of information about the space exploration.

Even if you are not new to the cosmonautics field, during our tour you will learn a lot of unique facts and interesting stories. For example, you will learn that “Orlan” spacesuit as well as spaceship’s armchairs are crafted individually for every cosmonaut and astronaut. You will see a transportation and verticalization of the manned Souyz rocket. You will be able to take photos and even have a brief talk with a nowadays heroes – reserve space crew for the ISS!

The next launch is scheduled on 17^th of December – hurry up and contact us to get places within a group!