Abandoned Soviet Buran Space Craft

[dvs_dave]

Fascinating footage taken by some urban explorers of a couple of Buran shuttles that were under construction and around 80% complete before the program was abandoned.

https://youtu.be/-q7ZVXOU3kM

[RobDickinson]

I thought the only Buran was destroyed didnt realise there was another 2 partially complete still around

[StreetDragster]

There is one in the spyer technical Museum in Germany, impressive space craft, and the museum in general

Thanks
Matt

[Eric Mc]

Like with the American Shuttle programme, a number of Burans were built - some static test models and some aerodynamic flight test models.

Only one ever made it into orbit.

[Equilibrium25]

dvs_dave said:

Fascinating footage taken by some urban explorers of a couple of Buran shuttles that were under construction and around 80% complete before the program was abandoned.

https://youtu.be/-q7ZVXOU3kM

Thanks for posting that, fascinating!

[Eric Mc]

There have been a number of threads on Buran before but it is a story well worth repeating.

The logic behind why the Russians built the spaceplane is bizarre and convoluted - and because it was so odd, when Russia fell on hard times, it was one of the first major technical projects to get the chop.

[ApOrbital]

Epic explore well done for them getting in and out without being shot.

[SVX]

What a fascinating video - thanks for sharing!

[dukeboy749r]

Superb link- thank you for sharing

I never realised, until reading this thread, that one of the Soviet 'shuttles' actually made it into orbit.

What benefit to us all had they been able to continue?

[dudleybloke]

RobDickinson said:

I thought the only Buran was destroyed didnt realise there was another 2 partially complete still around

Buran Buran was popular in the 80's.

[Eric Mc]

You can play a game of "Spot the Difference" - ignoring the Soyuz /R7 booster of course.

[Wait Here Until Green Light Shows]

Fair play for them getting in there - what an epic adventure!!
On the other hand, I hate to think what would happen if they got caught, and I wonder if the authorities will go after them if they see the video?

[Eric Mc]

I bet a few Roubles changed hands.

[hammo19]

Brilliant video, really compelling viewing. Set me off on a 3 hour internet video viewing taking in the Boneyard in the desert, weird abandoned aircraft, submarines, places etc along with urban explorers.

[HTP99]

I wonder why they are kept in an abandoned hanger just rotting away, with all that security, as opposed to either being destroyed or put in a museum somewhere.

[PAUL500]

HTP99 said:

I wonder why they are kept in an abandoned hanger just rotting away, with all that security, as opposed to either being destroyed or put in a museum somewhere.

I imagine the cost and logistics of transporting them from the middle of nowhere would be enormous, but at least the transport aircraft still exists and operates, and I imagine the runway must still be there and the Chinese I believe are now planning on building more of them

[Boozy]

Someone needs to turn that into a COD/MOW multiplayer level.

[Eric Mc]

PAUL500 said:

I imagine the cost and logistics of transporting them from the middle of nowhere would be enormous, but at least the transport aircraft still exists and operates, and I imagine the runway must still be there and the Chinese I believe are now planning on building more of them

Building more of what?

[Boatbuoy]

Eric Mc said:

PAUL500 said:

I imagine the cost and logistics of transporting them from the middle of nowhere would be enormous, but at least the transport aircraft still exists and operates, and I imagine the runway must still be there and the Chinese I believe are now planning on building more of them

Building more of what?

I believe he's referring to the rumour that China showed an interest in building some more AN-225's:

http://uk.businessinsider.com/china-ukraine-build-...

[Eric Mc]

I see. I wasn''t sure whether he was referring to Burans or runways. It never occurred to me that he meant 225s.