Baikonur Collection

Yuri Gagarin before launch, 1961
Yuri Gagarin before launch, in his flight suit and helmet, in a bus heading toward the Vostok 1 launch site in Kazakhstan, USSR, on 12 April 1961

Buran space shuttle landing
The Buran orbiter landing at the Baikonur space center

Komarov before Soyuz 1 launch, 1967
Komarov before Soyuz 1 launch, speaking at the launch site in Kazakhstan, on 23 April 1967. Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov (1927-1967) was killed during this mission

Launch of Vostok 1 spacecraft, 1961
Launch of Vostok 1 spacecraft. Close-up of the exhaust flames of the rocket launching Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968) into orbit from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on 12 April 1961

Vostok 1 Soviet spacecraft
Vostok (Russian осток, translated as "East") was a family of rockets derived from the Soviet R-7 Semyorka ICBM designed for the humanspaceflight programme but later used for other sputnik

Soyuz 11 crew before launch, 1971
Soyuz 11 crew before launch. Soviet cosmonauts (left to right) Georgy Dobrovolsky, Viktor Patsayev and Vladislav Volkov at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Launch of Vostok 1 spacecraft
Vostok 1 spacecraft. Launched from Earth (April 12, 1961) with the first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, aboard. Still from a documentary shot in 1968

The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
October 12, 2008 - The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft in flight after takeoff
October 12, 2008 - The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft in flight after takeoff

Russian security patrol the railroad tracks
September 28, 2009 - Russian security patrol the railroad tracks shortly before the Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz rocket shortly after arrival to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome
September 28, 2009 - The Soyuz rocket is seen shortly after arrival to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
March 24, 2009 - The Soyuz rocket is rolled out to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz TMA-16 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
September 30, 2009 - The Soyuz TMA-16 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
September 18, 2006 - The Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying a new crew to the International Space Station

Launch scaffolding is raised into place around the Soyuz rocket
September 28, 2009 - Launch scaffolding is raised into place around the Soyuz rocket shortly after arrival to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz TMA-18 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
April 2, 2010 - The Soyuz TMA-18 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz TMA-6 vehicle
April 13, 2005 - The Soyuz TMA-6 vehicle rolled to its launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, in preparation for its launch April 15 (Kazakhstan time) to the International Space Station

The Soyuz rocket is erected into position at the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome
March 24, 2009 - The Soyuz rocket is erected into position at the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft arrives at the launch pad
October 10, 2008 - The Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft arrives at the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, for launch on October 12, 2008

Soyuz 15 rocket on launchpad
Soyuz 15. A rocket carrying the Soyuz-15 capsule on its launchpad. Soyuz-15 was launched on 26 August 1974 to take Gennadi Sarafinov and Lev Dyomin to the orbiting Salyut 3 space station

Launch of the Zarya module for ISS
Space Station. Launch of the Zarya module, the first element of the International Space Station, on a Proton rocket on 20 November 1998

Russian rocket engine in Baikonur museum
Russian rocket engine in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Sputnik-type capsule in Baikonur museum
Sputnik-type capsule, designed to carry animals into space, in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan. Photos show Sergei Korolev in July 1954 with a dog that flew on a suborbital rocket

Soyuz rocket engines in Baikonur museum
Soyuz rocket engines in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Russian calculator in Baikonur museum
Early Russian mechanical calculator in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Soyuz manned spacecraft interior, Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Soyuz rocket in park in Baikonur
Soyuz rocket on display in a park in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Launch of Voskhod-1
Voskhod-1. The rocket carrying the Voskhod-1 mission seen just after lift-off. Voskhod-1 set a number of records: it was the first spaceflight with more than one crew member

Vostok spacesuit in Baikonur museum
Vostok spacesuit (type worn by Yuri Gagarin) in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Power control cabinets in Baikonur museum
Russian power control cabinets in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Russian tank at Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Early Russian computer in Baikonur museum
Early Russian computer in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan (note thermionic valves and mechanical calculator)

Space communications equipment in museum
Historic space communications equipment in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Vokshod-1 capsule after landing
Voskhod-1. The capsule of the Voskhod-1 mission seen after landing. Voskhod-1 set a number of records: it was the first spaceflight with more than one crew member

Satellite antenna at Baikonur museum
Satellite antenna display at Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan. Periphery of antenna is deployable to increase collecting area and therefore gain

Soyuz rocket on launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Tracking antenna at Baikonur space museum
Tracking antennas at Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Rocket gyroscope in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Magnetic tape loop in Baikonur museum
Magnetic tape loop of early Russian computer in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Soyuz manned spacecraft control panel in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Sputnik model in Baikonur museum
Sputnik model in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Voskhod-2 rocket on launchpad
Voskhod-2. The rocket carrying the Voskhod-2 spacecraft sitting on tis launchpad. Voskhod-2 was launched on 18 March 1965, carrying cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Pavel Belyayev

Russian spacesuit glove in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Rocket gyro platform in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Elderly woman walking in a park C014 / 5709
Elderly woman walking in a park in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, with assistant

Soyuz capsule escape rocket
Soyuz rocket showing capsule escape rocket on display in Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Phased array antenna in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan

Soyuz manned spacecraft in museum
Soyuz manned spacecraft in Baikonur space museum, Kazakhstan, with control panel

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Baikonur: A Historic Spaceport Baikonur, the legendary spaceport located in Kazakhstan, holds a rich history of remarkable achievements and daring endeavors that have shaped humanity's exploration of the cosmos. From the Buran space shuttle landing to iconic moments like Komarov before Soyuz 1 launch in 1967 and Yuri Gagarin before his groundbreaking mission aboard Vostok 1 spacecraft in 1961, it has witnessed some of the most pivotal events in space exploration. The launch of Vostok 1 spacecraft marked a significant milestone as it propelled Yuri Gagarin into orbit, making him the first human to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere. This historic feat forever etched Baikonur into our collective memory. Not all missions were without tragedy though. The Soyuz 11 crew, just moments before their ill-fated launch in 1971, posed for what would be their final photograph together. Their sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the risks undertaken by these brave pioneers. Fast forward to recent times when Expedition crews prepared for their journeys to the International Space Station (ISS). Ivan Vagner of Roscosmos gazes out with anticipation while wearing his Sokol suit, reflecting both determination and excitement. In another captivating image, Thomas Marshburn from NASA catches a glimpse of himself reflected on his glasses against the backdrop of a Soyuz rocket - an introspective moment amidst immense preparation. As they bid farewell to Earth temporarily, Chris Cassidy waves goodbye with heartfelt emotion while donning his Sokol suit. Anatoly Ivanishin also readies himself for departure; both astronauts embodying courage and dedication as they embark on this extraordinary adventure. Baikonur continues its legacy as an emblematic site where dreams take flight and boundaries are pushed further than ever imagined. It stands not only as a testament to human ingenuity but also serves as an enduring symbol inspiring generations yet unborn to reach for the stars.