Vostochny CosmodromeActive

Russia's newest cosmodrome, built to reduce dependence on the Baikonur lease in Kazakhstan. The first orbital launch was in 2016. Long-term plans include crewed missions and Angara heavy-lift operations.

51.8845°N
Latitude
128.3337°E
Longitude
250 m
Elevation
2016
First orbital

Site history

Owner / operator: Roscosmos Founded: 2012 First orbital launch: 2016
Total orbital launches: ~20+ Annual launch rate: ~4/year Current vehicles: Soyuz-2, Angara (planned)
Russia's newest cosmodrome, built to reduce dependence on the Baikonur lease in Kazakhstan. The first orbital launch was in 2016. Long-term plans include crewed missions and Angara heavy-lift operations.

Orbital mechanics from 51.8845°N

A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Vostochny at 51.8845°N sets the following constraints:

Min inclination (due east)
51.9°
A rocket launched due east enters an orbit inclined at exactly the site's latitude. Going lower requires a fuel-expensive plane change.
ISS reachable?
No — too far north
At 51.8845°N, the minimum prograde inclination exceeds the ISS at 51.6° — reaching it requires an impractical retrograde manoeuvre.
Sun-sync (SSO)
Very efficient
Sun-synchronous orbits (~97–98°) require a slight retrograde tilt. High-latitude sites like this reach SSO with minimal extra fuel.
GTO efficiency
Standard
Geostationary transfer orbit requires a low inclination. A 51.9° plane change is needed to reach the GEO belt, costing payload mass.

Satellite train visibility from Vostochny

From 51.8845°N, Vostochny can reach 3 Starlink inclination shells: 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).

Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Vostochny would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±57° (primarily) — much of the populated world. In the hours after launch — before satellites raise their orbits — a tight train of 20–60 bright dots crosses the sky roughly every 90 minutes. Use OrbitalNodes' Starlink tracker for exact train pass times.

Orbital coverage — which latitudes can satellites from Vostochny fly over
90°S60°S30°SEquator30°N60°N90°N ISS 51.6° Vostochny Min inclination (51.9°) ISS band (±51.6°)

Vostochny — Launch Site FAQ

Where is Vostochny and who operates it?

Vostochny Cosmodrome is located at 51.8845°N, 128.3337°E in Amur Oblast, Russia. It is owned and operated by Roscosmos. The site has conducted approximately 20 orbital launches since its first in 2016.

What rockets launch from Vostochny?

Current vehicles operating from Vostochny Cosmodrome include Soyuz-2, Angara (planned). Primary customers are Roscosmos, launching Civilian government satellites, future crewed missions.

What orbits can Vostochny reach?

At 51.8845°N, Vostochny's minimum achievable inclination is 51.9° (due-east launch). Sun-synchronous orbits (~97°) are particularly efficient from this high latitude. The site can reach orbits between roughly 52° and 98° inclination.

Can I watch launches from Vostochny?

Yes — Vostochny Cosmodrome hosts a moderate cadence of approximately 4 orbital launches per year. Check the operator's website for public viewing arrangements and launch windows.

What satellites can I see that were launched from Vostochny?

Satellites regularly launched from Vostochny include Civilian government satellites, future crewed missions. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.

Why was Vostochny built at this latitude?

Vostochny at 51.8845°N was positioned to serve high-inclination and polar orbit missions. The site has been operational since 2016.

See all launch sites: Launch site directory →