Vostochny
Vostochny (Russian: Восточный) is a toponym used for several locations in Russia. The most widely known is the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a spaceport in Amur Oblast. The cosmodrome was developed to reduce Russia's dependence on the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and to expand domestic space launch capacity. Construction began in 2011, with initial operations starting in 2016. The facility hosts launch complexes for Soyuz-2 carrier rockets and is managed by Roscosmos. It supports civil, commercial, and government space missions and has hosted launches of satellites and space missions, including test flights and cargo and crew launches as part of the broader program. The site includes a mission control center and supporting infrastructure, including a launch complex and a testing range. The project is regarded as a major strategic investment in Russia's space capabilities, with regional economic development effects in Amur Oblast and related logistics.
Beyond the spaceport, Vostochny is also a name used for several inhabited localities in Russia, reflecting