For the first time in the history of domestic cosmonautics, all key facilities for preparing rockets for launch at the Vostochny Cosmodrome have been combined into one building.
The developers of the Unified Technical Complex brought together the rocket carrier assembly and testing facility, the spacecraft facility, the block warehouse, the transborder gallery, and the fueling and neutralization station under one roof. The total area of the complex's operational facilities is 52 thousand square meters.
This solution changed the logistics of pre-launch operations. Previously, stages, fairings, and spacecraft were moved between different buildings across open areas. Now, everything moves within a protected transborder gallery – an enclosed corridor connecting the workshops. The equipment does not come into contact with the external environment, reducing the risks of damaging sensitive equipment and eliminating the need to adjust to weather conditions.
Engineers no longer need to coordinate movements between buildings or wait for suitable conditions for transportation. All stages – from receiving components from factories to fueling and final docking – take place in a single controlled space. This reduces preparation time and increases the reliability of operations.
Time savings at each stage add up to a significant advantage before launch. Fewer transitions mean fewer errors. Higher speed means more opportunities to increase launch frequency.