The Little "Snowstorm" That Couldn't
Remember the famous Buran (Russian for "Snowstorm") shuttle designed by the USSR to compete with NASA's shuttle? In fact, it looked almost identical from a distance. What ever happened to this experimental craft? When looking up some of the details I found that the Buran came off the production line in 1984, test launched in 1988, and was moth-balled in 1993. Last word is that the manufacturing plant now makes diapers and a Buran 1:1 scale version became a restaurant in Gorky Park. The Russians have a lot to be proud of throughout the space race, but this was not its high moment. Click here for more on the current Russian programs, including the OBSTANOVKA space weather project related to the International Space Station.
Remember the famous Buran (Russian for "Snowstorm") shuttle designed by the USSR to compete with NASA's shuttle? In fact, it looked almost identical from a distance. What ever happened to this experimental craft? When looking up some of the details I found that the Buran came off the production line in 1984, test launched in 1988, and was moth-balled in 1993. Last word is that the manufacturing plant now makes diapers and a Buran 1:1 scale version became a restaurant in Gorky Park. The Russians have a lot to be proud of throughout the space race, but this was not its high moment. Click here for more on the current Russian programs, including the OBSTANOVKA space weather project related to the International Space Station.
