Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world’s first spaceport, is located in Kazakhstan.
The launch facility occupies the Kazakh Steppe near the city of Baikonur, although Russia operates it under a long-term lease. The Soviet Union founded the cosmodrome in 1955 as the main base for its early space programme. After the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, Russia continued using the site with Kazakhstan’s agreement.
Baikonur launched Sputnik 1 in 1957, the first artificial satellite, and Vostok 1 in 1961, carrying Yuri Gagarin on the first human spaceflight. Its historic launch complex includes the famous Gagarin’s Start pad, named for the cosmonaut.
The country answer is Kazakhstan because the facility is physically within Kazakhstan’s territory. Russia’s operational control and the lease—extended through 2050—can make the location seem disputed, but they do not change the site’s geographical country. Baikonur remains vital for Russian crewed missions and other launches.