Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended congratulations to current and former staff of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the peoples of both countries on the facility’s 70th anniversary, celebrated on June 2.
In a video message shared by the Kremlin, Putin recalled that the Soviet Union’s decision to establish the site was made on June 2, 1955, marking the birth of what would become the world’s first spaceport.
“Just a decade after the end of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet people—who had endured enormous losses—managed not only to rebuild cities and revive the economy, but also to look far into the future by taking a bold step into space,” Putin said.
He emphasized that the creation of Baikonur and the broader Soviet space program was a monumental achievement requiring exceptional courage and commitment. “We honor the colossal work of hundreds of thousands of people from across the former Soviet republics—those who pioneered, designed, and built Baikonur, and who have worked there ever since,” the president noted.
Putin paid tribute to the scientists, engineers, test pilots, civilian staff, and military personnel who shaped the legacy of Soviet and global spaceflight. “It was here at Baikonur that a new era in human history began,” he said. “Here, dreams turned into reality.”
He recalled key milestones that took place at Baikonur: the launch of the R-7 rocket carrying the first artificial satellite in 1957, and Yuri Gagarin’s historic spaceflight in 1961. Other milestones included Valentina Tereshkova’s journey as the first woman in space in 1963, the launch of the first orbital space station Salyut-1 in 1971, and the maiden flight of the reusable spacecraft Buran in 1988. In 1998, the launch of the Zarya module from Baikonur marked the beginning of the International Space Station.
The president noted the symbolic value of the name “Baikonur,” which translates from Kazakh as “rich land.” “The contribution of the cosmodrome to global scientific and technological progress is immense and impossible to overstate,” he said.
Putin also stressed that Baikonur is a powerful symbol of the strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan. “Our two countries have signed dozens of agreements covering all aspects of the spaceport’s and the city’s operations,” he said.
“Baikonur is a clear example of how cooperation and integration serve the interests of both nations and strengthen our positions in cutting-edge science and innovation,” he concluded.
The president ended his message by wishing all those involved in the space industry good health and continued success in strengthening the Russia–Kazakhstan partnership.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS