Kazakhstan to cut back land leased to Russia at Baikonur Cosmodrome

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has announced plans to reform the country’s space industry. Special attention was given to strengthening national sovereignty in the field, including the reduction of land leased by Russia at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

He highlighted that Russia effectively uses only three of the 10 available launch pads at Baikonur, with the rest remaining idle. In turn, Kazakhstan plans to withdraw thousands of square meters from the portion of Baikonur Cosmodrome leased by Russia.

«The withdrawal of a 1,747-square-kilometer area from the rented territory, which will later house a special economic zone, is underway. The area is planned to be used for implementing domestic space projects alongside international startups,» the prime minister said in a statement.

At the same time, Kazakhstan is advancing its domestic satellite programs. The country has been developing its Earth observation satellite KazEOSat-MR since 2023, with the first launch planned for 2027. A feasibility study on the replacement of the KazSat-3 satellite is also underway.

Special attention is also being given to rocket production. Kazakhstan already possesses design tools, and an experimental rocket model has been tested. The first launch of a small sounding rocket is expected by the end of this year.

Development of the Baikonur complex is continuing as part of the Baiterek project, a joint effort with Russia that includes construction of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle. The first launch from the new complex is scheduled for December.

Previously, Kursiv.media reported that Kazakh Tourism was developing a concept to promote Baikonur as a destination for event-based, scientific and industrial tourism.

However, in early June, the mayor of Baikonur, Konstantin Busygin, stated that the city is unlikely to see new hotels unless tourist numbers increase. The most recent hotel, called Galaxy, opened in 2021 and remains the newest venue in the city.