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The decision to create the Plesetsk Cosmodrome launch site was made in 1957. The Cosmodrome was the first military space launching centre in the Soviet Union and was able to launch R-7 intercontinental ballistic missiles, missiles developed under Sergei Korolev’s leadership.
On 15 July 2007 the Plesetsk launch site will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The launch site is in the Arkhangelsk region and is the northernmost launch site in the world. The launch site’s area encompasses 176,200 hectares.
The facilities of the Plesetsk launch site employ sophisticated scientific and technological achievements. It is used to support orbital groups, test rocket systems, and ensure that the launches of multipurpose spacecraft are carried out effectively.
As of 2006, 1926 multipurpose spacecraft have been placed into orbit from Plesetsk’s launching pads, 1548 rocket boosters have been launched, 11 rocket systems and 60 types of spacecraft had been tested. 475 launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles have been carried out at Plesetsk launch site. 13 rocket systems, nine of which have military purposes, have been tested.
Today the launch site is increasing the orbital groups of spacecraft with a view to ensuring Russia’s defensibility and security. The launch site is implementing Russia’s Federal Space Programme, the international cooperation programme and various commercial space programmes.
Russia plans to create and develop the majority of promising new-generation missile systems, systems constructed from modern Russian resources, at the Plesetsk launch site. These systems will support both military and civil work done by orbital groups.