The Baikonur Cosmodrome is planned to be gradually transformed from a predominantly Russian-Kazakh platform into an international space hub with the participation of new states and private companies. This development option was announced by Aydyn Aimbetov, Chairman of the Board of the Baiterek Joint Venture, who linked the need for change to the reduction in the number of launches from the cosmodrome.
The scale of the site makes such a scenario particularly notable: Baikonur covers 6717 km², includes eight launch complexes and 13 launch pads. It is the first and largest cosmodrome in the world, and its history spans 65 years: it was from here that the space era began with the launch of the first satellite and the flight of the first human into space.
Now, such a large-scale infrastructure requires higher utilization. According to Aimbetov, the number of launches from Baikonur has decreased in recent years due to international logistics problems and the political situation. Therefore, Kazakhstan and Russia are considering international cooperation as a way to expand the circle of participants in space projects and maintain the relevance of the complex.
However, an international hub does not mean an immediate change in the status of the entire Baikonur. The complex, along with the city of the same name, is located on the territory of Kazakhstan, but Russia leases it until 2050, annually transferring 115 million dollars to Kazakhstan. The agreement to extend the lease until this date was reached in 2004.