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Russia Returns to Baikonur After Major Pad Damage - Space News (Mar 22, 2026)
Published 2 months ago
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Episode Transcript
Russia Returns to Baikonur After Major Pad Damage
Let's start with what's happening right now. Early this morning, Russia launched its Progress MS-33 cargo spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This might sound routine, but it's actually a significant milestone. This is the first mission taking off from Launch Complex 39B's Site 31 since a major incident back in November. When a Soyuz rocket blasted off last fall, the intense exhaust damaged a critical structure at the pad called the service cabin. It's essentially a maintenance platform that provides access to the rocket before launch, and it collapsed into the launch trench. Everyone was wondering if Russia could fix it in time. Well, they did. More than 150 workers, including contractors, spent months replacing components, rewelding structures, and getting everything operational again. The Progress spacecraft carrying today will deliver supplies and fuel to the International Space Station, so this repair isn't just symbolic—it's essential for keeping the ISS running.
Artemis II Moon Mission Preparations on Track
Now let's talk about the bigger picture of space exploration. NASA's Artemis II mission is moving ahead with solid momentum. Earlier this week, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft were repositioned at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center after some maintenance work. Everything is on track for an April 1st launch window. When Artemis II lifts off, it'll carry four astronauts—three Americans and one Canadian—on a roughly ten-day journey around the Moon and back. This is a crewed test
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Today's topics:
Russia Returns to Baikonur After Major Pad Damage - Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 fully repaired after November damage, with Progress MS-33 cargo launch resuming today. The 17-ton service cabin was successfully replaced through intensive repair operations involving over 150 personnel.
Artemis II Moon Mission Preparations on Track - NASA's Artemis II moon mission with four astronauts remains on schedule for April 1 liftoff. The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft completed recent maintenance checks and are positioned at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center.
SpaceX Continues Starlink Constellation Expansion - SpaceX continues deploying Starlink internet satellites with frequent launches from Cape Canaveral. The megaconstellation has now surpassed 10,000 active spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
US China Lunar Race Heats Up - The United States and China are engaged in competition to land astronauts on the moon first. China targets 2030 for crewed lunar landing while NASA aims for 2028 through the Artemis program.
New Discovery About Dark Matter Structure - Astronomers discovered the Milky Way sits within a giant cosmic sheet of dark matter stretching tens of millions of light-years. This structure explains why nearby galaxies drift away from us rather than being pulled inward by gravity.
Episode Transcript
Russia Returns to Baikonur After Major Pad Damage
Let's start with what's happening right now. Early this morning, Russia launched its Progress MS-33 cargo spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This might sound routine, but it's actually a significant milestone. This is the first mission taking off from Launch Complex 39B's Site 31 since a major incident back in November. When a Soyuz rocket blasted off last fall, the intense exhaust damaged a critical structure at the pad called the service cabin. It's essentially a maintenance platform that provides access to the rocket before launch, and it collapsed into the launch trench. Everyone was wondering if Russia could fix it in time. Well, they did. More than 150 workers, including contractors, spent months replacing components, rewelding structures, and getting everything operational again. The Progress spacecraft carrying today will deliver supplies and fuel to the International Space Station, so this repair isn't just symbolic—it's essential for keeping the ISS running.
Artemis II Moon Mission Preparations on Track
Now let's talk about the bigger picture of space exploration. NASA's Artemis II mission is moving ahead with solid momentum. Earlier this week, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft were repositioned at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center after some maintenance work. Everything is on track for an April 1st launch window. When Artemis II lifts off, it'll carry four astronauts—three Americans and one Canadian—on a roughly ten-day journey around the Moon and back. This is a crewed test