The Buran space shuttle (Russian for „snowstorm”) was a Soviet space program (1974–1993) that served as a response to the American Space Shuttles.
On November 15, 1988, it completed its only successful, unmanned orbital flight, landing automatically. Despite its technical success and sophistication (fully automatic flight, launch with the Energia rocket), the program was closed after the fall of the USSR, and the only flight-worthy orbiter was destroyed in 2002.
Key information about Buran:
Goal and history: Buran was created as part of the rivalry with the USA, and the project was approved in 1976. It was intended for transport and military tasks.
- Flight: On November 15, 1988, Buran 1.01 performed a 205-minute flight, orbiting the Earth twice and ending with a successful, automatic landing.
- Construction: Although it resembled the American Columbia, Buran did not have main engines on board (it was carried by the Energia rocket). It was designed for 100 missions.
- Fate of the program: Due to financial and political reasons, the program was suspended and finally canceled in 1993.
- Destruction: The original Buran was destroyed on May 15, 2002, when the roof of the hangar at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, where it was stored, collapsed.
- Other units: Other shuttles were under construction (including Ptichka), but they did not perform any space missions.
