Overview
Vostochny Cosmodrome is Russia's newest spaceport, located in the Amur Oblast region of the Russian Far East. Construction began in 2012 and the first launch occurred in 2016. Vostochny was built primarily for strategic reasons — to give Russia independent orbital launch capability from its own territory, reducing dependence on the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is leased from Kazakhstan at significant annual cost.
Facility Details
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Amur Oblast, Russian Far East |
| Coordinates | 51.88°N, 128.33°E |
| Operator | Roscosmos |
| Established / First Launch | 2012 (construction); 2016 (first launch) |
| Active Vehicles | Soyuz-2.1a, Soyuz-2.1b, Angara-A5 (under construction) |
| Launch Pads | Soyuz-2 pad (active), Angara-A5 pad (under construction) |
| Orbital Access | LEO, SSO, ISS-compatible inclinations |
| Inclination Range | ~51°–98° |
Strategic Significance
Russia pays approximately $115 million annually to lease Baikonur from Kazakhstan, and political relations between the two nations have occasionally been strained over the facility. Vostochny provides Russia with a fully sovereign alternative on Russian soil. The latitude (51.88°N) is close to the ISS orbital inclination (51.6°), making it compatible with crewed ISS missions — though crewed launches have not yet transferred from Baikonur.
Angara Expansion
A second launch complex for the Angara-A5 heavy-lift rocket is under construction at Vostochny. Angara is intended to replace the ageing Proton rocket for heavy-lift GEO missions. Once the Angara pad is operational, Vostochny will be able to handle the full range of Russian launch needs, potentially allowing Baikonur operations to wind down.