A single structural failure at Russia’s Site 31/6—the mobile maintenance cabin collapsing into the flame trench—temporarily removes Russia’s only crew‑certified Soyuz launch capability, threatening scheduled Progress resupply and crew rotations. Replacing or fabricating a 1960s‑style service cabin takes years, so operational continuity depends on spares, cross‑partner contingency plans, or rapid industrial surge capacity.
— Shows how concentrated, legacy launch infrastructure and thin spare‑parts pipelines create acute diplomatic and operational risks for international space programs and national prestige.
BeauHD
2025.12.02
95% relevant
The article reports a Soyuz exhaust event that mangled a Baikonur service platform and flame‑trench hardware, directly matching the existing idea that a single structural failure at a key Russian launchpad can remove crew‑certified launch capability and imperil ISS access and resupply.
EditorDavid
2025.12.01
100% relevant
The article reports the maintenance cabin fell into the flame trench after a pressure event on Nov. 27, leaving Site 31/6 unusable and putting the Dec. 21 Progress launch at risk; experts estimate recovery from months to three years.
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