Stories from Baikonur Cosmodrome · Kazakhstan

A Russian rocket successfully launched the first component of the International Space Station into space. This launch marks the beginning of a new era in space travel. The mission aims to establish the orbital laboratory through collaborative scientific efforts. This development follows a historical context of post-Soviet space collaboration and the legacy of the Mira station. The mission involves a collaborative effort between Russia, the United States, Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency. The component is operating at an altitude of 400 kilometers above Earth. All participating agencies are working together to manage the station's development. The launch utilized Landing Zone 2 and Landing Zone 40 for the mission. The launch was successful as of April 26, 2026, at 14:37:09Z.