Russian Far East Home to New Spaceport

Russia will launch its spacecraft from its very own cosmodrome by 2018. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced the ambitious project that will help mobilise Russia's intellectual resources and industrial potential. During a trip to Russia's Far East, Putin officially launched the scheme as he paid a visit to the site of the future cosmodrome. Russia will continue to use the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on which it has a lease until 2050.

China has a fourth spaceport, the second human-rated capable, under construction now. The United States has only Kennedy Space Center rated for human space launch travel. Wallops Island, Va. could be a second in the near future but it will largely rest with the wishes of the good US Senator from Maryland.