New Russian space port moves forward despite budget cuts, technical problems
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029534
BBC : To become less dependent on the old Soviet Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Russia is building a new space port in Vostochny. However, budget cuts, technical difficulties, and financial scandal have plagued its construction and delayed its first launch, of a Soyuz rocket, originally scheduled for last month. The site, in the Russian Far East, has many advantages, not least its remoteness, which reduces the chance of stray rocket parts falling on people or property. And because of advances in digital systems and technology, the new port is much more compact than Baikonur, with a relatively small launch pad controlled by a single person and a computer. The Russians now hope to launch the Soyuz rocket in April.
