Experience Glamorous Camping at the World’s First Cosmodrome—Soon a Reality

From Rocket Launchpads to Leisure Retreats: Kazakhstan’s Space Sites Reimagined

Historic Sites Transformed

In an ambitious pivot, Kazakhstan is converting former space facilities—once hubs for rocket launches and crew training—into glamping resorts, interactive museums, and family-friendly getaway spots. These sites, which were pivotal during the Soviet era, now offer a blend of history and hospitality.

Key Destinations

Baikonur Cosmodrome – The world’s oldest and most active space launch facility is turning its old launch pads into safari‑style lodges and guided tours that highlight its iconic launches.
Yuzhnoye Design Bureau – The former satellite design center has been converted into a modern museum, featuring interactive exhibits on space technology and regional science achievements.
Komeyt Space Center – Its sprawling training grounds are now part of a family adventure park, with educational workshops and child‑friendly attractions.

Why It Matters

These transformations serve a dual purpose: preserving the country’s rich space heritage while providing new economic opportunities through tourism. By offering unique experiences that blend history, adventure, and comfort, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a must‑visit destination for travelers curious about the cosmos.

Transforming Baikonur’s Past into a Thriving Future

The Russian Federation, while continuing to lease the iconic Baikonur Cosmodrome, has already returned over fifty decommissioned facilities to Kazakhstan. This sets the stage for a bold redevelopment plan that will turn these relics of space history into a year‑round tourist destination.

Key Objectives of the Tourism Initiative

Year‑Round Visitorship: Move beyond occasional rocket launches to attract tourists throughout the seasons.
Immersive Experiences: Offer interactive exhibits and guided tours that bring history to life.
Sustainable Accommodation: Introduce hotels, glamping options, and educational camps for children.

Highlight: Gagarin’s Launchpad

The most celebrated site, Gagarin’s launchpad—the very platform that hoisted the world’s first human, Yuri Gagarin, aboard Vostok 1 in 1961—is the cornerstone of this plan. The Russian government has entrusted its national aerospace committee company with oversight, responsible for:

Funding Allocation: Securing capital for restoration and modern amenities.
Maintenance: Ensuring the structure remains safe and historically authentic.
General Management: Coordinating visitor services and marketing initiatives.

Future Outlook

With these measures in place, the site is poised to become a cultural landmark that celebrates humanity’s space achievements while fostering economic growth and educational opportunities for generations to come.

Kazakhstan Secures Control of Gagarin’s Historic Baikonur Launchpad

The Aerospace Committee Company has officially received the keys to the launchpad that launched the world’s first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space. This transfer follows Russia’s formal handover of the site to Kazakhstan in June.

Future Plans for the Site

According to Kairat Nurtay, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the Baikonur Complex, the Kazakh authorities intend to transform the launchpad into a tourist destination. Visitors would be able to:

Explore the historic launchpad
Experience the significance of Kazakhstan’s contribution to space history
Connect with the narrative of the first orbital flight from Kazakh territory

Key Highlights

June 2024: Russia finalized the transfer of the Baikonur launchpad to Kazakhstan.
Official transfer: The Aerospace Committee Company now holds the keys.
Tourism vision: Future plans include public access and educational exhibits.

‘A powerful source of inspiration’

Baikonur’s Tourism Transformation Set for September Approval

By September, Baikonur’s tourism blueprint will officially gain clearance, setting the stage for a meticulous safety assessment of all decommissioned infrastructure.

Safety Inspection Phase

The inaugural task is to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of the abandoned facilities, ensuring they meet modern standards before they can be repurposed.

Revitalizing Cosmic Heritage

To safeguard the region’s storied legacy, several iconic sites will be meticulously restored and integrated into an expansive, open‑air museum experience.

Gagarin’s Launchpad – The historic launch point commemorating the first human spaceflight.
Assembly and Fueling Complex – The once bustling hub that prepared the formidable Energia rocket and the Buran orbital shuttle.

Engineering Highlights

The Buran shuttle, a state‑of‑the‑art spaceplane, was developed as the Soviet response to the U.S. Space Shuttle program, featuring advanced propulsion and re‑entry capabilities.

Space Tourism Development at the Energia‑Buran Launch Complex

Vision and Infrastructure Plan

The forthcoming project aims to transform the former launch site into a vibrant destination for space enthusiasts. Planned additions include:

Accommodation – grand hotels and uniquely styled glamping pitches
Visitor Engagement – dedicated centers featuring retail shops, gastronomic venues, and immersive displays
Family‑Friendly Features – a children’s camp and interactive learning zones

Quotes from Leadership

Chairman of the Aerospace Committee, Baubek Oralmagambetov, stated:

“Space, at its core, embodies humanity’s collective dream of exploring galaxies and uncovering new worlds. This form of tourism serves as a powerful catalyst for inspiration, especially among young minds. It offers them insight into the history of space exploration, fuels admiration for its achievements, and motivates them to pursue greater knowledge and set loftier aspirations.”

Witnessing rocket launches from a yurt

Witness the Thrills of Spaceflight from Baikonur

In 2023, Kazakhstan constructed a traditional metal‑structured yurt on a viewing platform right beside Baikonur’s 31st launch pad. This unique structure invites visitors to experience the roar of rockets and observe launches from an exceptionally close perspective.

Launch Highlights This Year

Three launches have already taken place, providing a dynamic display for travelers.
Three additional flights are slated for the remainder of the year, concluding in December.

Recent Mission: Progress 92

On 4 July, 12:32 a.m., a Soyuz rocket carried the Progress 92 cargo vessel into orbit. This unmanned spacecraft transported nearly three tonnes of essentials—food, fuel, and equipment—for the International Space Station. It successfully docked with the Poisk module the following day.

Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Growing Visitor Experience

Officials predict that, once additional accommodations are constructed, Baikonur could accommodate up to 50,000 visitors per year by 2029—a five‑fold increase over current numbers.

Four Pillars of Ground‑Based Space Tourism

Educational Tours – Guided visits that highlight the science behind space travel.
Cultural and Discovery‑Based Tours – Immersive experiences linking local heritage with space exploration.
Event‑Driven Tourism – Activities centered around launches, conferences, and festivals.
Adventure and Active Tours – Includes large‑scale road trips and interactive outdoor activities.

MICE Tourism Potential

Leila Bakytova, Chief Manager of the Management Board Chairman’s Office at Kazakh Tourism, notes that the region can host a wide array of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events, drawing global participants and boosting local engagement.

Innovative Attractions on the Horizon

Experts foresee the implementation of interactive exhibits and hands‑on simulations that will allow visitors to experience space missions firsthand, further unlocking Baikonur’s tourism potential.

Progress MS‑31 Launches from Baikonur’s Pad 31

On 4 July, the Soyuz‑2.1a rocket lifted off from launch pad No. 31, carrying the Progress MS‑31 cargo spacecraft on a routine resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Virtual Viewers Get a Front‑Row Seat

Mission Overview: The flight follows the long‑standing Soyuz launch program, now upgraded to the 2.1a configuration.
Progress MS‑31: Designed to deliver scientific payloads and extra supplies, this version adds in‑orbit inspection capabilities.
Experience for Earth‑bound Guests: Museum expert Rinat Kutdussov explains how visitors can simulate a launch from the control centre.
Even virtual or on‑screen participation offers immersive soundscapes and multimedia effects.
Some tours even include live windows onto astronauts, robotics, and mission teams in action.
The goal is to make observers feel like actual crew members.

Tourism Meets Kazakhstan’s Space Vision

Baikonur’s rise as a tourist destination dovetails with Kazakhstan’s broad space strategy, aiming to commercialise Soyuz launches by 2028 as part of the Russian‑Kazakh Baiterek initiative.

First commercial test flight slated for the end of this year.
Subsequent test launches planned for 2026 and 2027.
By 2028, the site will welcome both foreign and Kazakh customers to send cargo to space.
Tourists will not only watch launches but also gain insights into local infrastructure upgrades aimed at supporting these missions.

Key Personnel and Dates

Oralmagambetov highlighted the timeline, setting clear milestones for each phase of the Baiterek project.

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Updated Insight on the Gagarin Launch Facility

The control hub of the Gagarin launch system has sparked fresh interest, as reported by Euronews.

Key Developments by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov

Construction Status: The Baiterek Space Rocket Complex is progressing on schedule.
Rocket Development: The Soyuz‑5 model is on course for completion.
Launch Timeline: Roscosmos confirms an anticipated launch from Baikonur in December this year.

Baikonur’s Role as a Tourist Magnet

Despite the forthcoming engineering feats, rocket launches continue to be the primary draw for visitors at Baikonur. Officials stress that this is just the start, aiming to ignite curiosity in students and satisfy lifelong aficionados of space exploration.

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