Hi everyone. Since I have seen the fantastic pictures from the 2 abandoned spaceships in Kazakhstan, I would like see them from my own yes.

The Abandoned Soviet Space Centre complete with two Unfinished Spacecrafts Inside

Does anybody know if this is accessible, or if it needs special permit to enter this zone?

Thanks!

Some time ago I spent plenty of time trying to figure out where they are exactly and based on how close they really are to the launch platforms, then I'd say it would need a permit. And the territory is rented to the Russian government.

This is the GPS coordinate for the hangar with the collapsed roof - 45°55'41.0"N 63°17'55.0"E

On Google Maps satellite view there also seems to be a gate/checkpoint quite close to the M32.

__________________
Frank

Thanks for your help Franck. I will check further. If I find some informations, I will post them here.

I did some research last year, and from what I understood, all Cosmodrome area is closed: you need double entry russian visa, special permit and tour arranged to visit.

Also Baykonur town is closed.

Checkpoints are south of the M32 for the town, north of it for the cosmodrome.

Do you know if it is possible to ride through? I mean from Qysylorda to Aral or does one must go around?

Thanks,
Joe

You can ride on the M32 no problem.
Checkpoints and restricted areas are north, to the cosmodrome, and south, to the entrances of Baykonur town, just south of kazakh city of Tyuratam, which is open.

You can see some picture of the area from my trip there last year at this page

I'm on my way to Baikonur!
will be there in about three weeks. but I'm still waiting for my permit to enter the Cosmodrome.
afaik you only need the permit, not a Russian visa. I've got a visa to cross Russia, but I think mine will be expired when arriving in Baikonur...

Let us know how it goes!

I'm currently applying for visiting the Baikonur Soyuz ISS 51S launch on July 28th. I will be riding the 'stans with my motorcycle then, and as the launch was postponed from end of May it now gives me a chance to see it. Maybe.

The agency told me that it is NOT possible to enter Baikonur town without a booked tour or without a guide. On top you need a double-entry visa if you arrive/return from Moscow, or continue to drive on to Russia as is my plan. That implies they will take one entry from your Russian visa for Baikonur town and cosmodrome, which makes sense as it is actual Russian territory. You stay under their control all the time after you have met your guide and entered the restricted zone (tour bus shuttleing between town and cosmodrome will not let you get out in Kazakh territory inbetween).
Baikonur is still a place with many secrets and controlled through the FSB, so it is little wonder you have to virtually drop your pants, and the permit comes from Moscow only.

That also means the musem and the Buran shuttles are only to be seen with an expensive tour. Correct me if you managed differently. Normally they even offer the 'tourist visits' only on chartered flights, but I was told through the agency I would be able to join on-site also. But I was told I was NOT allowed with a foreign vehicle into town, so I would need to park it either at the airport or in the (kazakh-controlled) town of Tyuratam right next to Baikonur.

I will keep you updated about my progress and procedure given.

If somebody has a hint where to best and safest store my bike for a few days while on offical tour I'd be glad to hear.

I also booked an expensive tour, which includes a hotel for two nights. I expect to leave the bike at the hotel and drive to the Cosmodrome with the tour bus. But maybe the hotel is already in the Russian zone?
But as I don't have a multi entry visa, I asked the tour agency about that and they said, only the permit is needed (kazachstanreizen.nl).
I hope that's true or I'm out there and can't enter the Cosmodrome

The launch was first planned for May 28th, that's why I'm now on the way.
Lucky you for the rescheduling to July!

I'll update in a few weeks...

Hi, I might be there as well, still planning, but so far the prices I've been given were pretty expensive... around 2000 euro to be part of a guided tour. Impossible to enter otherwise and not possible to enter with your own vehicule.

I was also told that they don't show the Buran spaceships. It's not part of the programm for tourists.

yes, it's very expensive. I pay about 1500€ for the guided tour, including two nights at the hotel (65€ per night). and that is without the rocket launch...

my travel agent assured me again today that you don't need a Russian visa, only the permit. which normally will be approved only a few days before the arrival date. so I will not know if I can enter until I'll be standing at the gate
and also, the hotel will be inside the area. the next hotel outside the Russian zone seems to be 60km away.

There is a gastiniza for truckers on the M32, just some meters from the Baykonur crossroad, here 45.675659, 63.308152



A bit off topic, but I suppose people looking in this thread can be interested in this video I found over the internet a few days ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJMjEbtjUoM

Enjoy your time there guys, waiting to know about your experience and to see your prictures :-)

Ok, here some info directly from Baikonur!
You DON'T need a visa! my Russian visa was single entry (already used and also expired).
The tour guide will get you at the checkpoint to the city. It's not possible to enter the city without the guide.
it is possible to enter with your bike! But you have to apply early (1-2 months before) for this permit. Give brand, model and number plate of your bike! I was too late and got no permission. I currently park in a locked up garage which my tour driver has organized. It's directly in front of the checkpoint: 45.645422, 63.321224
No way to park at the airport, because you need to go through the checkpoints to reach it.

The tour itself was just visiting the launch site of Soyus, the Cosmodrom museum and another museum in the town. There is no way to get to the original Buran shuttle (about 1km away of the museum in a building which roof has collapsed), but there's a test version besides the museum. the outside of this shuttle is identical, but inside it's part of the museum. This shuttle has been used for testing the heat shield tiles (so they said...).
I did some 360° photos and uploaded them to Google streetview (link).

On the launch site there's always a security guy present and you are only allowed to take pictures from certain points, which he declares.
No walking around alone, you would have to bribe many people! (driver, guide, security, interpreter, ...)

In the town I'm staying at the 'central hotel', I couldn't choose. If you can choose, take another one (Baikonur or Sputnik). This is just an old sowjet hotel, small rooms, no wifi, everything old and broken. It's ok for Kazach standards, but at this price I really expected European standards...

Any further questions or info required?

great info, thanks.
other info required?
a lot :-)

name of agency and price for the tour?
and A LOT of pictures of course!