 AProton-K with theZvezda Service Module of theInternational Space Station during launch from LC-81/23. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Interactive map of Site 81 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | RVSN,VKS,RKA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total launches | 196 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Launch pad | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Orbital inclination range | 49° – 99° | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Site 81 at theBaikonur Cosmodrome is a launch site used, along withSite 200, byProton rockets. It consists of two launch pads, areas 23 and 24. Area 24 is used forProton-K andProton-M launches, while Area 23 is inactive.
Several planetary probes have been launched from Site 81. Area 23 was used to launchMars 3,Mars 4,Mars 6 andVenera 11, whilst Area 24 was used byMars 2,Mars 5,Mars 7,Venera 9,Venera 10 andVenera 12. SeveralLuna probes were also launched from both areas.
TheZarya andZvezda modules of theInternational Space Station, as well asSalyut 2,3 and5, and theSpektr andPriroda modules ofMir, were launched from Area 23. Area 24 was used to launchSalyut 1,4 and6.
On 2 July 2013, aProton-M/DM-03 launched from Site 81/24 carrying threeGLONASS navigation satellites. Immediately after liftoff, the rocket began to pitch over, and rolled out of control. The rocket fell close to the launch pad and exploded, the extent of any damage to Site 81 or the Baikonur Cosmodrome is unclear.
On 25 February 2020, Roscosmos announced that Site 81/24 will be deactivated by late 2022 or early 2023; any remaining Proton-M launches on the manifest after that time will be transferred to Site 200/39.[1]
46°04′15″N62°59′05″E / 46.07083°N 62.98472°E /46.07083; 62.98472
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