Baikonur is the world's first and one of the largest space airports, covering 6 square kilometers. It is located in Kazakhstan, near the village of Tiora-Tam.
On February 12, 1955, the Soviet government made a decision to create a test site for intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellite launches.
The first team of Soviet military engineers arrived at Tiora-Tam on January 12, 1955. On May 5, 1957, a special commission approved the completion of the first launch pad of the space airport, on which the intercontinental ballistic missile "R-7" was installed.
June 2, 1955 was recognized as the official anniversary of Baikonur, following the publication by the Soviet Army Chiefs of Staff Committee of directives regarding the hierarchical structure of the fifth scientific test site.
Baikonur Space Airport is of major international importance. It was from here that the first Earth satellite, the first manned space flight, as well as manned spacecraft of the Vostok, Voskhod and Soyuz programs, orbital space stations Salyut and Mir, and unmanned spacecraft were launched.
The 70th anniversary of the creation of the Baikonur space airport
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