Buran
Buran is a spaceplane developed by ROSCOSMOS.
Mission profile: Autonomously carrying cargo and crew (never achieved) to Low Earth Orbit.
The Buran programme was started by the Soviet Union as a response to the United States Space Shuttle programme. The project was the largest and the most expensive in the history of Soviet space exploration. Development work included sending BOR-5 test vehicles on multiple sub-orbital test flights, and atmospheric flights of the OK-GLI aerodynamic prototype. Buran completed one uncrewed orbital spaceflight in 1988, after which it was recovered successfully. Although the Buran class was similar in appearance to NASA's Space Shuttle orbiter, and could similarly operate as a re-entry spaceplane, its internal and functional design was distinct. For example, the main engines during launch were on the Energia rocket and were not taken into orbit by the spacecraft. Smaller rocket engines on the craft's body provided propulsion in orbit and de-orbital burns, similar to the Space Shuttle's OMS pods.
Spacecraft Specifications & Launch Record
| Height | 36.37 m |
|---|---|
| Human Rated | Yes |
| Maiden Flight | 11/15/1988 |
| Crew Capacity | 4 |
| Payload Capacity | 30000 kg |
| Flight Life | At least 15-20 days, but its only flight lasted only 206 minutes. |
| Spacecraft Flown | 1 |
| Total Launches | 1 |
| Successful Launches | 1 |
| Attempted Landings | 1 |
| Successful Landings | 1 |
History of the Buran
The Buran was a Soviet and later Russian reusable spacecraft that began development in 1974 at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute in Moscow and was formally suspended in 1993.
ROSCOSMOS Space Agency
The Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, commonly known as Roscosmos, is the governmental body responsible for the space science program of the Russian Federation and general aerospace research. Soyuz has many launch locations the Russian sites are Baikonur, Plesetsk and Vostochny however Ariane also purchases the vehicle and launches it from French Guiana.