Major damage to PU-6 at Baikonur

[TheKutKu]

Creating a thread dedicated to the damage (consequences and repairs) sustained by the PU-6 at LC31 in Baikonur after the Soyuz MS-28 launch.

(the posts at the Soyuz MS-28 launch thread are transferred to this thread).


zubenelgenubi edit: Space Policy splinter thread here: Major damage to Baikonur Site 31/6: policy discussion


At least part of the service cabin collapsed following this launch, it seems all launches from pad 31/6 will be indefinitely delayed.

[Satori]

A few images of the collapsed structure... a very bad situation.

[russianhalo117]

A few images of the collapsed structure... a very bad situation.

Looks like it rolled off the end of its rails.

[Satori]

A few images of the collapsed structure... a very bad situation.

Looks like it rolled off the end of its rails.

Is there any video that shows how that section operates/works?

[ChrisC]

Assuming these latest drone images came from Russian TV coverage, can someone re-link us to that stream, assuming it's available on-demand?  I went back through all of today's coverage here and didn't find it.  Also FYI I didn't find any images that showed that structure before launch (but I also don't know exactly where to look).

EDIT: thank you Satori!  Linking here in embeddable form, and I have it cued up to 1h58m50s point where the ~30 seconds of post-launch drone views were aired, just as the coverage was ending.  If the time jump doesn't work in the embed, you can also just click this link:  https://youtube.com/watch?v=-W8hqc-aIco&t=1h58m50s

[Satori]

Assuming these latest drone images came from Russian TV coverage, can someone re-link us to that stream, assuming it's available on-demand?  I went back through all of today's coverage here and didn't find it.  Also FYI I didn't find any images that showed that structure before launch (but I also don't know exactly where to look).

Check at the very end (1:58:24): https://www.youtube.com/live/-W8hqc-aIco?si=fe-Ubb-EYBVTigb7

[ChrisC]

Retweeted by NSF:

According to unconfirmed rumors, after today's #SoyuzMS28 launch, an emergency occurred at Pad 31: part of the launch facility, the maintenance cabin, located under the rocket, was damaged. Roscosmos has not yet commented on these rumors, I also have no additional information.

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1994080060555358488

[ChrisC]

Retweeted by NSF:

Well, something bad happened to Baikonur's Pad 31/6 after today's launch.  While it might take a long time to fix, the worst thing is that this is the only active pad for ISS missions.

Drone footage (4x speed) for better understanding

https://twitter.com/robert_savitsky/status/1994080246870499432

[Yellowstone10]

Assuming these latest drone images came from Russian TV coverage, can someone re-link us to that stream, assuming it's available on-demand?  I went back through all of today's coverage here and didn't find it.

Past Roscosmos streams are usually available on their YouTube page, but for some reason, the MS-28 launch stream's not there (even though the docking and hatch opening streams are) - just a little suspicious...

Aside from people who re-streamed it unofficially, here's the original from Roscosmos's VK Video page.

https://vkvideo.ru/video-30315369_456244580

[Targeteer]

https://twitter.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1994094141408452730

[JayWee]

Makes it very clear:
https://twitter.com/TheSpacePirateX/status/1994110075976470857?t=Ze7OzUylbLIit8pdgDz9rA&s=19

[TheKutKu]

It may be possible that the air current from the exhaust can suck an unsecured platform that was retracted in... maybe.
Much milder axample from 2016 in Vostochny

[ace5]

The 8U0216 sliding platform  is responsible for accommodating on its platforms the hydraulic and gas lines of other systems in the complex, routing them to the rocket’s docking points, and enabling the installation of specific elements of the rocket’s guidance systems. The 8U0216 service cabin is configured as a rectangular platform suspended on four trolleys connected to monorail tracks and moved by a chain-drive transmission.
The service assembly was created for preparation of the R-7 rocket at the launch complex. The structure included the 8T119 service tower, intended for servicing the rocket’s middle and upper sections, and the 8U216 service cabin, intended for servicing the recessed areas and the lower section.

[Targeteer]

https://twitter.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1994087002090741885

[TheKutKu]

https://t.me/roscosmos_gk/18802

The space rocket launched without incident. The spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station. The crew is on board and in good health.

The launch pad was inspected, as is done every time a rocket is launched. Damage to several launch pad components was identified.

Damage can occur after launch, so such an inspection is mandatory worldwide.
The condition of the launch pad is currently being assessed.

All necessary spare components are available for repair, and the damage will be repaired shortly.

Are they referring to spares at gagarin's start?


I do wonder, if there was a need to launch a Soyuz ASAP, could single use, temporary scaffolding be used for the teams to work on Soyuz, and then quickly dismantled before launch?

[toren]

0:12 on this clip appears to be failure - lots of debris flying...

https://twitter.com/ENNEPS/status/1993981668248457628

[catdlr]

https://twitter.com/robert_savitsky/status/1994074613735653409

afec7032 🇷🇺
@robert_savitsky
As far as I understood, it's even worse. Looks like a crew access structure/platform, whatever it's called, collapsed after the liftoff and fell/slided into the flame trench.
Either it wasn't properly secured after it was retracted away from the rocket, or something else failed.

[guckyfan]

I have a question. Does Progress need the same pad? What about resupply for the cosmonauts?

[russianhalo117]

https://t.me/roscosmos_gk/18802

The space rocket launched without incident. The spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station. The crew is on board and in good health.

The launch pad was inspected, as is done every time a rocket is launched. Damage to several launch pad components was identified.

Damage can occur after launch, so such an inspection is mandatory worldwide.
The condition of the launch pad is currently being assessed.

All necessary spare components are available for repair, and the damage will be repaired shortly.

Are they referring to spares at gagarin's start?


I do wonder, if there was a need to launch a Soyuz ASAP, could single use, temporary scaffolding be used for the teams to work on Soyuz, and then quickly dismantled before launch?

All inactive R7 pads have an identical mothballed service gantry available for use as well as CAD documentation for new build construction dating back to the Kourou CSG ELS pad and modernized for Vostochniy 1S.

[Satori]

I have a question. Does Progress need the same pad? What about resupply for the cosmonauts?

Yes. All Soyuz-2 based launches from Baikonur are delayed without a prospect launch date.