There are plans to modernize the infrastructure at Baikonur

Construction work on the Baiterek project, which implies a deep modernization of the infrastructure facilities of the Zenit-M rocket and space complex at Baikonur for the Soyuz-5 rocket, may begin at the end of this year. This was announced to journalists on Tuesday by the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of KazakhstanBagdat Musin.

"The timing [of the start of construction] is slightly shifted, but in general the vision is the same. We need this complex in order to maintain the relevance of Baikonur. Deadlines are being shifted due to the preparation of technical documentation, there are certain points for which acceptance is difficult," he said.

At the same time, the head of the department answered in the affirmative to the question of whether the work will begin by the end of this year. "The work is in full swing, only this is not construction, but documentary work. The design takes a long time," he explained Bagdat Musin.

In 2018, a protocol on amendments to the agreement of the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia on the creation of the Bayterek complex on Baikonur dated December 22, 2004. It defines the obligations of the parties under the project, the withdrawal from lease and the transfer to the Kazakh side of the objects of the ground-based space infrastructure of the Zenit-M complex for modernization.

Kazakhstan is responsible for the creation of ground infrastructure through the modernization of the Zenit-M KRK. Russia is developing a Soyuz-5 rocket, which is planned to be launched from there. The first launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2023. The launch complex will be named "Nazarbayev Start".