To launch with attention: at Baikonur, they talked about preparations for the first launch of astronauts after the accident

More than 3,500 people, including a NASA delegation, flew to the Baikonur cosmodrome to watch the rocket launch, the Roscosmos press service reported. To prepare for manned launches, the maintenance cabin and a number of other technical components were replaced at site No. 31, said Igor Barmin, advisor to the Director General for Science at CENKI. At the same time, the design of the rocket attracted the attention of bloggers: next to the drawings of cancer-stricken children, an advertisement for a brand of energy drinks was placed, which are considered harmful to health.

How the launch pad was restored

Preparations for the launch of the Soyuz MS-29 manned spacecraft to the International Space Station are being completed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, from site No. 31 using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle.

The main crew of the 75th long-term expedition to the ISS included Roscosmos cosmonauts Peter Dubrov, Anna Kikina and NASA astronaut Anil Menon. The upcoming launch will be the first manned launch from site No. 31 after the accident on November 27, 2025, which destroyed the launch pad.

According to Igor Barmin, Scientific Adviser to the General Director of the Center for the Operation of Ground-based Space Infrastructure (CENKI), it was not necessary to completely change the equipment of the launch complex after the emergency.

— The lower power belt units and the maintenance cabin itself have been replaced in the launch system. Everything was done in February. That month, the launch (on February 28) of the Progress MS-30 transport and cargo ship. — Ed.) passed in the normal mode, and everything turned out to be absolutely fine, — said the specialist.

According to him, no new technical solutions are currently being introduced into the launch complex, since all the processes have been worked out for a long time. The necessary modernization was carried out earlier, and the complex is currently operating normally.

One of the key stages of the preparation for the launch was the rollout of the rocket from the assembly and test case and its installation in an upright position, which the cosmodrome specialists completed on July 10. As Igor Barmin explained, the rocket was mounted on a special transport and installation unit, which delivered it to the launch pad using a motorized truck.

On the final section of the route, the unit independently proceeded to the installation site, after which it lifted the rocket into an upright position. Then the automation recorded its parameters, which were entered into the control system. In the future, this data will be used by the flight control program in automatic mode.

The expert also noted that the abnormal heat complicates the work of service personnel. The metal structures of the launch complex are heated to more than 60 degrees, so it is impossible to touch them without protective gloves. At the same time, the spacecraft itself is provided with the necessary cooling system during preparation.

— After the rocket is accepted by the launch system, a thermostating system will be connected to it, and air with the necessary temperature and humidity will be supplied to the cabin of the ship, as well as to the compartments that also need to be thermostatized — the necessary temperature conditions will be maintained there, — Igor Barmin shared.

Why was an advertisement for a manufacturer of energy drinks placed on the rocket

During the rollout of the rocket, the attention of many present was attracted by the images placed on its body. One of the posters was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the S.N. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. In addition, it was decorated with drawings of children from all over Russia who suffer from cancer. The Dream Rocket project is being implemented by Roscosmos in cooperation with the Unity Charitable Foundation.

At the same time, some users drew attention to the fact that an advertising banner of a company producing energy drinks was placed next to the children's creativity, which caused a discussion on social networks.

"I hope for a small chance that this disgrace will be lifted off the rocket. I am ashamed that a work of engineering art created by the great Sergei Korolev advertises shameful products that poison people," blogger Nicholas Oxman wrote on his Telegram channel Kosmodiver.

He also recalled that the brand's owner is known for antisocial behavior. Among other things, he insulted government officials, staged provocative pranks, showed violent scenes and became involved in other high-profile stories.

"Actually, there is a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children in Russia, and strict regulation of advertising of such drinks has been introduced since March 1. Then where is the same—sized banner on the rocket with a warning about the dangers of energy companies?" - Ekaterina Mizulina, director of the League for Safe Internet and a member of the Public Chamber, supported the blogger on the channel in Max.

What is the reason for the arrival of the head of NASA

According to the press service of Roscosmos, more than 3.5 thousand people arrived to escort the crew to Baikonur. A delegation from the American space agency NASA also arrived at the cosmodrome. According to sources, its head, Jared Isaakman, arrived at Baikonur on the eve of the launch, on July 12. After the spacecraft docks with the ISS, which is expected to take place about three hours after launch, its press conference is scheduled. At the same time, experts are cautiously assessing the possible outcome of the visit of the head of the American space agency.

— We should not expect anything revolutionary from the upcoming meeting between the head of NASA and the head of Roscosmos. The wrong format. Most likely, they will discuss the status and prospects of cooperation under the ISS program — cross-flights, issues of extending work on the station until 2030, and preparations for taking the station out of orbit. They may also agree to consider expanding cooperation on other programs. But it will be a kind of protocol of intent," says cosmonautics expert and historian Alexander Zheleznyakov.

On the other hand, it is symbolic that the visit took place on almost the same dates as the legendary joint flight in 1975, when the Soyuz-19 spacecraft launched from Baikonur and the Apollo spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral docked in orbit. This project has become one of the main symbols of defusing international tension, said Olga Selivanova, Deputy Director of the Archives of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

According to her, the mission clearly showed that even at the height of the cold war, cooperation in space remains possible. The coincidence of the dates of the current visit with the anniversary of the Soyuz-Apollo program is a kind of reference to the spirit of that historic project.