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Russia To Replace Baikonur Cosmodrome In Kazakhstan With Russian Spaceport

By Staff Writer | January 28, 2008

      Russia eventually will replace the venerable launch facility, the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with a new spaceport in Russia, according to CNS, RIA Novosti and Western news media.

      However, Baikonur will remain a major launch point for Russian spacecraft well into the next decade.

      The shift could make Russia independent of Kazakhstan in launching spacecraft. Initially, military spacecraft and missions would be moved within Russian borders, and then other missions would be shifted to new launch facilities.

      Russia has two launch sites, at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northwestern Russia, and at the Svobodnyy Cosmodrome at the eastern edge of the nation.

      Both of the Russian facilities would be modernized and used more heavily, saving Russia money versus launches from Baikonur, which Russia leases from Kazakhstan.