Kazakhstan and Russia are considering transforming the Baikonur Cosmodrome into an international space hub. According to Aidyn Aimbetov, chairman of the Baiterek joint venture, the facility may soon open to foreign states and private companies.
The initiative aims to address the decline in launch frequency caused by current international logistics and political conditions. By attracting new partners, the operators hope to increase the facility's utilization and ensure its long-term relevance.
The Baiterek program remains the central modernization project for the site. It is designed to facilitate the launch of modern rockets as older systems are phased out, maintaining the site's operational capacity.
Baikonur is located in Kazakhstan and is currently leased by Russia. The lease agreement, originally signed in 1994 and extended in 2004, runs until 2050. Russia pays an annual rent of $115 million for the use of the complex.
