Kazakhstan approves 2024 plan for space launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome submitted by Russia

ASTANA. Dec 27 (Interfax) - The Kazakh government has approved a plan for space launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2024.

The relevant government directive has been published on Kazakhstan's online database of legal acts.

"The government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has approved [...] a plan for spacecraft launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome for 2024 submitted by the Russian side under the Russian Federation's government program of space exploration activities, international cooperation programs, and commercial projects," the resolution says.

The resolution instructs the Kazakh Foreign Ministry to forward the decision to Russia via diplomatic channels by December 30, 2023.

The cosmodrome and the city of Baikonur make up the Baikonur Complex, including 15 launch pads of nine types for space launch vehicles, four launch pads for testing intercontinental ballistic missiles, 11 assembly and test facilities, and other infrastructure.

Russia is leasing Baikonur from Kazakhstan for the period up to 2050.

Baikonur is governed by a Russian administration, with representatives of Kazakh government ministries and agencies and a special presidential representative posted there.