24/7 Space News
SPACEWAR
Three EU citizens detained at Russian spaceport
Three EU citizens detained at Russian spaceport
by AFP Staff Writers
Astana, Kazakhstan (AFP) July 11, 2024

Three EU citizens were detained this week for illegally entering the Russian-controlled Baikonur Cosmodrome in central Kazakhstan, local authorities said Thursday.

The secretive space launch facility in a remote area of the Kazakh steppe has become a magnet for daredevil tourists, many of whom attempt to break into the hangars housing old Soviet-era spacecraft.

The three foreigners, two Dutch citizens and a Belgian, "were arrested on Tuesday for unlawfully entering the territory of Baikonur", a Russian military court spokesperson told AFP.

The three were removed from the city after spending 24 hours in police custody, the spokesperson added.

The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the largest and most active spaceport in the world, launching thousands of rockets including the world's first manned spacecraft carrying Yuri Gagarin in 1961.

Several tourists including social media influencers have managed to break into the complex, sometimes after spending nights hiding from the site's security in the surrounding desert.

A French tourist died on the territory of the spaceport in June, apparently after suffering "dehydration in extremely hot and dry temperatures", officials said at the time.

British travel blogger Benjamin Rich, whose YouTube channel "Bald and Bankrupt" has over four million followers, was detained and fined for entering Baikonur in the spring of 2022.

Opened by the Soviet Union in 1955, the spaceport became part of independent Kazakhstan when the USSR dissolved in 1991 but remains controlled by Moscow under a lease set to expire in 2050.

Related Links
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACEWAR
International Law Crucial in Preventing Space Militarization
London, UK (SPX) Jul 11, 2024
A recent study emphasizes the urgent need for countries and international organizations to leverage existing international law to address rising concerns about the militarization of outer space. The militarization of space is escalating, with the potential to become a battleground. Nations are testing anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, and satellites could become significant targets during conflicts. Dr. Chris O'Meara from the University of Exeter Law School has conducted a study examining how t ... read more

SPACEWAR
Russia's 'window to the west' turns to tourists from the East

Juice's Historic Lunar-Earth Flyby: Key Details

Real-life Spacesuit Innovation Recycles Urine into Drinking Water

Leidos secures $476M NASA contract for ISS and Artemis Cargo Support

SPACEWAR
China's All-Electric Communication Satellite APSTAR 6E Now Operational

NASA Introduces Low-Cost Hybrid Rocket Motor Testbed

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket experiences rare failure

Virgin Galactic Unveils New Spaceship Manufacturing Facility in Arizona

SPACEWAR
Voyagers of Mars: The First CHAPEA Crew's Yearlong Journey

Mars Likely Experienced Cold and Icy Conditions, Study Suggests

Martian Atmosphere Unveiled Through Innovative Use of Existing Technology

Europe's Earth Return Orbiter Advances to Next Development Stage

SPACEWAR
Beijing Unveils 'Rocket Street' to Boost Commercial Space Sector

Shenzhou XVII Crew Shares Post-Mission Insights with Media

Shenzhou XVIII Crew Successfully Completes Second Spacewalk

Chinese Scientists Develop Novel Rosa Roxburghii Varieties via Space Breeding

SPACEWAR
Booz Allen Invests in Quindar to Enhance Satellite Automation

Maritime Satellite Communications Market Expands with Rising NGSO Solutions

SpaceX Successfully Launches Turkey's First Home-Grown Communications Satellite

Ovzon 3 Satellite Commences Commercial Service

SPACEWAR
TeraNet enhances Space-to-Earth data transfer with laser comms

Canadian space junk incident shows growing risks as SpaceX launches thousands of Starlinks

India's Infosys beats profit estimates as client spending rises

Caught in the actinium

SPACEWAR
NASA's Webb Explores Atmospheric Differences on Exoplanet WASP-39 b

Scorching Storms Unveiled on Nearby Brown Dwarfs

BAE Systems to Advance Stable Optical Technology for NASA's HWO Mission

New Proposal Redefines Planetary Criteria Beyond Our Solar System

SPACEWAR
NASA Evaluates Electrical Components for Europa Clipper Mission

Subaru Telescope Discovers New Objects Beyond the Kuiper Belt

NASA's Juno Observes Lava Lakes on Jupiter's Moon Io

Understanding Cyclones on Jupiter Through Oceanography

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.