VOSTOCHNY COSMODROME, Amur region. Sept 13 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have continued their visit to Vostochny Cosmodrome with a tour of the Soyuz-2 launch site.
They visited an area in front of the launch site, and will later visit another observation platform to familiarize themselves with construction work for the Angara launch site.
The Soyuz launch site is intended for acceptance of Soyuz-2 rockets, preflight preparations, launches, post-launch operations, and cleanup operations in the event of a failed launch. The cordoned off area is about 45,000 square meters in size.
A special feature of the launch site is that all of its buildings and structures have been erected above ground. The command post can withstand falling rocket stages. The 0.8-meter-thick walls and the one-meter-thick ceiling can protect personnel in case of an accident. There are three buildings of this kind at the launch site.
Another specific feature of the launch site is that rockets are fueled from stationary oxygen, nitrogen, kerosene and naphthyl reservoirs. The decision to lay refueling hoses underground was made for safety reasons. This refueling method also requires minimal involvement of joint crews.