October 24, 2018
Categories: Baikonur spaceport, History, Space
The Day When no Rockets launched

October 24 is considered to be the black day in the history of Russian space exploration. On this date within three years period Russian cosmonautics faced two terrible accidents with heavy losses.
The first one happened in 1960 during the first launch of R-16 intercontinental ballistic missile. Second stage engine was accidentally ignited causing a fire and then a terrific explosion. 74 (according to various sources from 92 to 126) people met a horrible death in fiery hell the launchpad turned into. This accident is also called Nedelin catastrophe since Soviet Marshall Nedelin attending the launch also died then.
Three years after Baikonur faced another tragedy on this date. There was a fuel leak in the launch silo of R-9A, a small spark in the gassy silo caused a fire. 8 engineers died.
Since then no launches are planned for this date and more over no serious maintenance operations are accomplished.
October 24 is also considered to be as fallen rocket specialists memorial day.

More from this category:
May 6, 2022
RSC Energia has developed a 3D printer for the ISS

S.P. Korolev RSC Energia (forms part of the State Corporation Roscosmos) jointly with Tomsk Polytechnic University and Tomsk State University have developed a 3D printer…

full story
November 14, 2014
ISS-42/43 Mission Crew’s Training in Spacecraft

Soyuz TMA-15M main and back-up crew members have already had the first training onboard the spacecraft in the integration building of 254 launchpad. In the…

full story
April 18, 2014
Progress M-22M to Sink in the Pacific Ocean

Progress M-22M cargo vehicle undocked from the ISS on April 7 and performing controlled flight will be deorbited on Friday and sank in the Pacific…

full story
May 9, 2013
Russian Satellite to Take Detailed Pictures of Solar Eclipse

According to RIA Novosti, in response to a request posted by bloggers in social networks, Russian space officials have agreed to adjust the work of…

full story
June 24, 2013
Russian Scientist Proposes Satan Missiles to Fight Asteroid Threats

According to RIA Novosti, Russia can use Soviet-era SS-18 Satan heavy intercontinental ballistic missiles to destroy celestial bodies posing a threat to Earth, a Russian…

full story
October 21, 2013
Russia and Brazil to Develop Satellites Together

Russia suggested Brazil cooperation in space development, particularly in the field of joint satellite design and development of space program for Brazil partners, Russian Defense…

full story
November 30, 2013
Progress M-21M Docked with the ISS in Manual Mode

An unmanned Russian resupply spacecraft carrying an improved navigation system docked early Saturday with the International Space Station, Russian Mission Control said. The docking had…

full story
September 24, 2014
Russia to Launch Full-Scale Moon Exploration Next Decade

Russia’s space agency Roscosmos plans to launch a full-scale Moon exploration program in late 2020s or early 2030s, the agency’s head Oleg Ostapenko said on…

full story