Baikonur history

The history of the city of Baikonur is inextricably linked with the dawn of the space age. Unlike ancient settlements that arose at the crossroads of trade routes, this city appeared on the world map thanks to scientific and technical progress. The official founding date is considered to be 1955, when the construction of a scientific research testing ground, which later became the legendary cosmodrome, began in the desert terrain.

Key Factors of Establishment

The choice of location for the future city and cosmodrome, located within the territory of Kazakhstan, was determined by strict technical and geographical requirements:

• Geography and Safety: Vast and sparsely populated steppe areas allowed for the safe placement of launch complexes and impact zones for spent rocket stages.
• Radio Communication: The flat relief of the terrain provided ideal conditions for uninterrupted radio communication with spacecraft.
• Logistics and Resources: Proximity to a major railway line (the Moscow — Tashkent line) and the freshwater Syr Darya river solved critically important issues regarding cargo delivery and water supply in the arid climate.

Early Years and Development Features

In the first years of its existence, the settlement bore the code name "Zarya" (Dawn), and later, in 1966, it received city status and the name Leninsk (which was retained until 1995). It was a closed facility with a special access regime, which did not appear on ordinary geographical maps.

The cultural and economic life of the city was formed around one main goal — space exploration. The best engineers, designers, and military specialists gathered here. Despite the harsh weather conditions (hot summers and windy winters), a developed social environment was created in the city in the shortest possible time: schools, green parks, and palaces of culture were built to ensure a comfortable life for those paving the way to the stars.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of the city is a chronicle of space exploration, full of great achievements and significant transformations.

• 12 February 1955 — An official decision was made to build a testing ground for rocket technology in the desert area of the Kyzylorda Region.
• 5 May 1955 — The first stone was laid in the foundation of the residential settlement for testers, which initially received the code name "Zarya".
• 4 October 1957 — The world's first artificial Earth satellite was launched from the cosmodrome, opening a new era in human history.
• 12 April 1961 — Yuri Gagarin performed the first manned space flight, launching from the site later named "Gagarin's Start".
• 1966 — The expanded settlement received city status and the official name Leninsk.
• 15 July 1975 — The launch of the Soyuz-19 spacecraft took place as part of the first international docking mission, "Soyuz — Apollo".
• 15 November 1988 — The unique reusable transport system "Energia — Buran" was successfully launched in automatic mode.
• 1994 — A historic Lease Agreement for the complex was signed, cementing cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan in the space sector.
• 20 December 1995 — The city of Leninsk was officially renamed Baikonur, acquiring its modern name.
• 2004 — The lease term for the cosmodrome was extended until 2050, ensuring a stable future for the city and its residents.
• 2011 — The city became the centre of global celebrations dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the first human flight into space.

Stages of Urban and Economic Development

The evolution of the city of Baikonur is unique: from a closed military settlement, it has turned into a science city open to tourists with a special international status. Infrastructure development here has always gone hand in hand with the needs of the cosmodrome, forming a distinct way of life within Kazakhstan.

• Large-scale Greening of the Desert (1960s). One of the main urban planning tasks was the creation of an artificial microclimate. A forest protection belt and millions of trees requiring a complex irrigation system were planted in the city, which helped soften the harsh continental climate and protect residential quarters from dust storms.
• "Moscow Provision" (1970–1980s). During the Soviet period, the city had the status of a facility of union significance. This ensured residents a privileged standard of living: excellent food supply, the construction of schools advanced for that time, hospitals, and a Palace of Culture, which attracted the best specialists from all over the Union.
• Transitional Crisis (Early 1990s). After the dissolution of the USSR, the city faced a sharp reduction in funding and an outflow of qualified personnel. This stage was characterized by a temporary decline in municipal infrastructure and the need to search for a new economic model of existence.
• Determination of Legal Status (1994–1995). The signing of the lease treaty between Russia and Kazakhstan became a turning point. This decision allowed for the restoration of funding for city services, the maintenance of law and order, and the halting of housing stock degradation.
• Formation of a Dual Currency Zone. A unique economic feature of the city is the parallel circulation of two currencies. This simplified trade relations and allowed the city's economy to integrate into the markets of both partner countries.
• Gasification and Modernization (2010s). The conversion of the city's thermal power plant and housing stock to natural gas instead of fuel oil became the most important infrastructure project of recent years. This significantly improved the environmental situation and increased the reliability of heat supply.
• Development of the Tourism Industry. In recent years, the city has been actively transforming into a tourist hub. Hotels are being reconstructed, public spaces are being improved, and services are being created for guests arriving to watch rocket launches, which is becoming a new source of revenue for the local budget.

Urban Planning Features

The architectural appearance of the city of Baikonur represents a classic example of a Soviet "science city," built according to a unified master plan in desert conditions. The city has a clear block structure with wide avenues designed taking into account wind patterns for natural ventilation in the hot climate. An important feature of urban planning was the creation of a powerful "green shield": parks and squares protecting residential areas from sand and dust.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Since the city was founded in the mid-20th century, ancient styles like Gothic or Baroque are absent here. The buildings vividly illustrate the evolution of Soviet architecture:

• Late Stalinist Neoclassicism (1950s): The first permanent buildings in the old part of the city ("The Wooden Town", Shubnikov Park area). These are low-rise brick houses with high ceilings, cornices, and stucco elements, creating a cosy, intimate atmosphere.
• Industrial Functionalism (1960–1970s): The period of active growth of the cosmodrome was marked by the construction of micro-districts made of standard five-story panel buildings. The main features of the style were conciseness, lack of decoration, and strict geometry.
• Soviet Modernism (1980s): During this period, high-rise residential buildings (9 stories and above) and large public buildings appeared. The style is characterized by massive forms, the use of concrete and glass, as well as monumentality, emphasizing the status of a space harbour.

Iconic Buildings and Structures

The uniqueness of the urban environment, located within Kazakhstan, lies in the abundance of monuments and objects related to space exploration:

• Soyuz Rocket Model: A full-size copy of the launch vehicle, fixed vertically on Korolev Avenue. This is the architectural dominant feature and the most recognizable symbol of the city.
• Cosmonaut Hotel: A building surrounded by a garden, where crews traditionally stay before flight. The architecture of the complex is restrained but historically significant.
• City Palace of Culture: A large-scale structure in the Modernist style, serving as the centre of cultural life.
• Lenin Square: The central administrative square, framed by buildings from the era of developed socialism, where major city events take place.

Distinguished Personalities

The history of the space harbour is inextricably linked with the names of great designers, engineers, and cosmonauts. It was here, on the land of Kazakhstan, that people lived and worked whose ideas and feats changed the course of world history.

• Sergey Pavlovich Korolev. The Chief Designer of the USSR rocket and space industry. He was the initiator of creating the cosmodrome in this very place and personally directed the first historical launches. Thanks to his genius and organizational talent, the city of Baikonur and the launch complexes grew in the desert, opening the way to the stars for humanity.
• Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin. The planet's first cosmonaut. His name became a symbol of the city, for it was from here on 12 April 1961 that his legendary flight began. Gagarin visited often, not only before the launch but also later, participating in the training of new crews and the work of state commissions.
• Georgy Maksimovich Shubnikov. Head of cosmodrome construction, Major General of the Engineering and Technical Service. Under his direct leadership, complex launch structures and the first residential quarters of the city were erected in the shortest possible time. He is called the "chief builder of Baikonur".
• Vladimir Pavlovich Barmin. An outstanding designer and creator of launch complexes. The systems developed by his bureau ensured a reliable start for the Vostok rocket and many other launch vehicles. Barmin's engineering solutions laid the foundation for the longevity of the cosmodrome's infrastructure.
• Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova. The world's first female cosmonaut. Her launch from the cosmodrome site in 1963 became an important milestone in the history of manned astronautics, proving the possibilities of women staying in outer space.
• Vladimir Nikolayevich Chelomey. General Designer and creator of the heavy launch vehicle "Proton". This rocket became one of the most reliable and mass-produced carriers in the history of the cosmodrome, ensuring the placement of orbital station modules and communication satellites into orbit.
• Toktar Ongarbayevich Aubakirov. The first Kazakh cosmonaut and Hero of the Soviet Union. He made his flight in 1991, launching from his native land. His mission became a symbol of the continuity of generations and the contribution of Kazakhstan to the world space programme.