Kazakhstan gears up for historic Baiterek rocket test launch in December

Kazakhstan is preparing for the first test launch of a rocket from its new Baiterek space complex. The launch, planned for December, follows years of development and significant investment in the domestic facility. Authorities have stressed that safety and reliability remain the top priority, even if this delays the exact date.

The Baiterek complex has undergone extensive construction and testing. Last year, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited the site to review progress. Kazakhstan has invested around 90 billion tenge into the project, aiming to establish a fully operational domestic space hub.

Engineers are now conducting thorough checks of the rocket and its supporting infrastructure. Over 40 technical systems are being tested individually and as part of the full launch sequence. Additional inspections of onboard and ground-based equipment will ensure everything meets strict safety standards.

Once autonomous testing is complete, the rocket will move to the launch pad for vertical positioning and final preparations. All personnel involved have finished specialised training and practical internships to handle the pre-launch procedures.

The last successful launch from Baiterek took place on 8 November 2023, when a Soyuz-2.1a rocket carried the Progress MS-23 cargo spacecraft into orbit. That mission marked the site's first operational use for Soyuz launches after the phase-out of the Zenit rocket programme.

The upcoming test flight will determine whether the Baiterek complex is ready for regular operations. While the launch window is set for December, officials have made clear that success—not a fixed date—will dictate the final schedule. If all goes well, the facility will become a key part of Kazakhstan's space ambitions.