After the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, damage to a number of launch pad elements was discovered, Roscosmos reported. The inspection was carried out immediately after the rocket reached orbit - this procedure is mandatory in world practice, the state corporation noted.
The noticed defects do not threaten the operation of the complex as a whole. All identified elements are subject to restoration - spare parts have already been prepared for the repair, and the timing of the elimination of damaged sections is planned to be minimized.
At the same time, the launch itself went without deviations. Soyuz-2.1a launched the Soyuz MS-28 manned spacecraft into orbit, which successfully docked to the Rassvet module of the Russian segment of the ISS in just three hours.
On board are cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev and NASA astronaut Christopher Williams. The crew, after moving to the station, reported feeling well. According to the corporation, the ship will spend 242 days in orbit.
