Russia continues to lease Baikonur Cosmodrome, but has returned 50 decommissioned facilities to date to Kazakhstan.
The government is currently planning to use them to create a vibrant tourist ecosystem, attracting visitors all year round, not just rocket launches.
The world’s first human spaceflight, created in 1961 by Yurigagarin from Vostok 1, will develop visitor infrastructure centered around iconic sites such as Gagarin’s Launchpad, the oldest and most famous launch pad in Baikonur, made in immersive experiences, hotels, glamping facilities and children’s camps.
The government handed oversight of Gagalin’s abolished launchpad to the National Aerospace Commission Company. This currently handles funding, maintenance and general management, paving the way for tourism development.
Russia has confirmed that the site has moved Kazakhstan June.
“In the future, the Kazakh side can turn it into a tourist destination. It’s a place where visitors can come and connect with the very history of Launpad, where the first humans traveled from Kazakh soil into space.”
“A powerful source of inspiration”
Baikonur’s tourism concept is expected to be approved in September, and the first step will include safety inspections for the decommissioned facilities.
To preserve that cosmic heritage, the iconic site will be rebuilt as part of the outdoor museum. This includes Gagalin launchpads and assembly and refueling facilities. It was once used in the final preparation of the powerful energy rockets and blanc shuttles, spacecrafts designed in response to the US space shuttle program.
The plan also includes building important infrastructure such as hotels. Glamping Visitor centre with area, retail zone, restaurants and children’s camps.
“In particular, the universe is a dream of humanity, a dream of exploring galaxies and discovering new planets,” says Baubek Oramagambetov, chairman of the Aerospace Commission.
“This type of tourism is a powerful source of inspiration, especially for children. It helps them learn the history of space exploration, motivated by its results, study harder and strive to set higher goals.”
I’ll see the rocket being released by the yurt
Last year, Kazakhstan installed a metal-structured yurt on a viewing platform near Baikonur’s 31st launch pad, offering tourists the opportunity to see the Rocket launch.
So far, visitors have witnessed three launches, with three more scheduled for December.
The latest one was a Russian cargo mission. The Soyuz rocket was lifted at 12:32am on July 4th, with the unmanned Progressive 92 spacecraft equipped with nearly three tons of food, fuel and supply for the International Space Station. The next day, I docked it with a Poisk module.
Authorities estimate that by 2029, Baikonur will be able to welcome 50,000 visitors a year due to the expansion of accommodation. This is a jump of five times the current number.
“At this point, we are developing four ground-based areas. Space tourism. The first is the educational tour. The second is a cultural and discovery-based tour. The third focuses on event-driven tourism. The fourth includes adventure and active tours. Perhaps in the form of large road trips such as the Drive Forum, the chief manager of the Kazakh Tourism Board’s office in Leila Ba Kitoba said.
“There are many exciting event formats around the world for Mouse (editor, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) tourism.
Experts say there are interactive exhibits and practical simulation ideas, and possibilities are just beginning to tap.
“If people can witness the launch of a rocket with their own eyes, it’s amazing that, like Korolev himself, will tell them the command of the launch for a while. Thanks to new technology, visitors can simulate the experience of launching a rocket from the control center.”
“Whether on-screen or in virtual format, you can immerse yourself in a soundscape surrounded by multimedia effects and perhaps observe astronauts, robots, or workplace mission teams.
“The idea is to make them feel like a part of the crew.”
Tourism and Kazakhstan’s universe ambitions go hand in hand
Baikonur’s growing tourism ambitions are consistent with Kazakhstan’s broader space strategy. One of its important goals is to commercialize the launch of Soyuz Rocket by 2028 using upgraded local infrastructure as part of the Russian and Kazakh Bayterek project.
“The first test flight will take place at the end of the year,” Oralmagambetov said.
“The launch of the second and third tests is planned for 2026 and 2027 and will be commercialized in 2028. Both foreign and Kazakh customers can send space freight.”
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov confirmed that the construction of the Baterek Space Rocket Complex and the development of the Soyuz-5 rocket is on schedule. According to Roscosmos, the rocket will be released by Baikonur in December this year.
For now, the rocket launch remains Baikonur’s main tourist attraction. Officials say the transformation is just beginning, but it is designed to inspire everyone, from curious schoolchildren to lifelong space enthusiasts.