The space race was won from Kazakhstan
Humans have indulged in competition since time immemorial, and nothing exemplifies this more than the high-stakes space race beginning in the 60s.
This particular contest was sparked by the launch of the first flight into outer space in 1957 and the first man into the orbit in 1961 but ended up giving us many innovations we use daily in communications, satellite technology, and navigation. Not all competition is bad, after all.
We rekindle our love for stars as soon as night falls. Celebrated writers Jules Verne and H.G. Wells had envisioned space flights long before the first rocket left our earthly atmosphere. Yet, the actual saga of space exploration played out not in Verne’s hometown of Nantes or Wells’ gilded City of Westminster, but at a vast space port called Baikonur Cosmodrome geographically located in south-central Kazakhstan.
Founded in 1955 and spread over 6,700 square kilometers, the world’s oldest and largest operational space launch facility holds a special place in the heart of all Kazakhstanis for propelling humanity into the unknown.
Along with a number of historic firsts, the vast complex has been the launch site for more than 5,000 rocket missions, including 1,600 orbital missions, and over 200 space travelers. From the pioneer that was Gagarin to very recent launches.
Today, the spaceport serves as a backdrop to both manned and unmanned spacecraft, including a medley of satellites, for a variety of American, European, and other space programs. Several missions regularly head to the International Space Station, itself a symbol of international cooperation.
As a child, I have always been fascinated by what’s beyond the horizon. Imagine my excitement, then, when I first learned that the darling of international space travel is right here in Kazakhstan! I remember it developed my appreciation for STEMs, for astrophysics, and can not forget cheering on the adventures of our cosmonauts such as Toktar Aubakirov and Talgat Musabayev and their exploits in the outer world.
It is a sector that makes a real contribution to our national GDP. In 2018, a team of Kazakh engineers created a special project, KazSTSat, a technological space system. KazCosmos, our national space agency, is enjoying an increasingly busy agenda. The annual number of visitors to Baikonur and many of its associated attractions it’s all on the rise.
This year, Baikonur marks its 70th anniversary and I wanted to take a moment and marvel at seven decades of human ingenuity and peak engineering. It is a legacy that continues to inspire stargazers and scientists alike. If you have ever wanted to feel like Joseph Cooper of Interstellar – now hailed as the pinnacle cinema of its genre – guided tours to Baikonur Cosmodrome are available year-round.
The space race was won in Kazakhstan, let the visit win your imagination too.
Do bring you own Hans Zimmerman playlist.
