The Buran Thread

[Tahii]

I thought those turbofan engines were only on the atmospheric test model, so that it could launch without having to be attached to an Antonov? Not for the actual space-faring Burans?

[Rocket Guy]

Hmm, I thought it was for the space article too but I think you're right. I didn't know that. I don't see the turbos on the space vehicle.

Edit: and after looking around, I see that my thought came from rumors and discussions on some other sites. Some people thought (including me apparently!) that they were putting the engines on the space vehicle too. But the discussions are refuted on the real sites, like www.k26.com/buran

[anik]

Avron - 21/10/2005  10:21 PM

Anik...

Whats the item on the tank ahead of the orbiter?

Avron,

This item is on the tank – look at the photo “Before launch.jpg”…

This item is removed from the tank – look at the photo “During launch.jpg”…

Also look at the photo “Before launch - 2.jpg”… Cables are stretching to this item (maybe power supplies?)...

P.S.: All these photos from Russian Vadim Lukashevich's Buran website ( http://www.buran.ru )

[anik]

Chris Bergin - 22/10/2005  1:22 AM

Anik, how many Buran's are there left?

Chris,

There were made five orbital spacecrafts and eight full-size models for the “Energiya-Buran” program in the Soviet Union…

> Five orbital spacecrafts:

1K made spaceflight (look at the photo “1K.jpg”) and was destroyed because of the building roof collapse on the Baikonur

2K is stored in the building on the Baikonur (look at the photo “2K.jpg”)

3K is in Moscow (look at the photo “3K.jpg”)

4K is disassembled (look at the photo “4K.jpg”)

5K is unfinished and then destroyed

> Eight full-size models:

1M is in the Gor’ky park and is transformed into an attraction "The Buran: the space travel"

2M was used for atmospheric testings (look at the photo “2M - 1.jpg”) and is in Bahrein (look at Tahii’s photo “2M - 2.jpg”). By the way, Ben, turbojets were used only on this model…

3M is at RSC Energiya (look at the photo “3M.jpg”)

4MT is on the Baikonur (look at the photo “4MT.jpg”)

5M is at TsAGI (look at the photo “5M.jpg”)

6M is at NIIhimmash in Moscow region (look at the photo “6M.jpg”)

7M is stored in the building on the Baikonur (look at the photo “7M.jpg”)

8M is at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

P.S.: All these information and photos from Russian Vadim Lukashevich's Buran website ( http://www.buran.ru )

[Chris Bergin]

anik - 22/10/2005  12:34 PM

Chris Bergin - 22/10/2005  1:22 AM

Anik, how many Buran's are there left?

Chris,

There were made five orbital spacecrafts and eight full-size models for the “Energiya-Buran” program in the Soviet Union…

> Five orbital spacecrafts:

1K made spaceflight (look at the photo “1K.jpg”) and was destroyed because of the building roof collapse on the Baikonur

2K is stored in the building on the Baikonur (look at the photo “2K.jpg”)

3K is in Moscow (look at the photo “3K.jpg”)

4K is disassembled (look at the photo “4K.jpg”)

5K is unfinished and then destroyed

> Eight full-size models:

1M is in the Gor’ky park and is transformed into an attraction "The Buran: the space travel"

2M was used for atmospheric testings (look at the photo “2M - 1.jpg”) and is in Bahrein (look at Tahii’s photo “2M - 2.jpg”). By the way, Ben, turbojets were used only on this model…

3M is at RSC Energiya (look at the photo “3M.jpg”)

4MT is on the Baikonur (look at the photo “4MT.jpg”)

5M is at TsAGI (look at the photo “5M.jpg”)

6M is at NIIhimmash in Moscow region (look at the photo “6M.jpg”)

7M is stored in the building on the Baikonur (look at the photo “7M.jpg”)

8M is at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

P.S.: All these information and photos from Russian Vadim Lukashevich's Buran website ( http://www.buran.ru )

Wow, thanks! I had no idea. Thank you Anik and thank you Vadim!

[anik]

By the way, Buran (3M) and Kliper is at RSC Energiya (photo from Novosti kosmonavtiki)...

[Tahii]

Wow! From other photos I had seen of Kliper, it didn't look as big as that! (I know its closer to the camera than the Buran, but hell, its still very big)

[gyro2020]

Great images, but also very sad to see the state they are in.

[Avron]

anik - 22/10/2005  5:07 AM

Avron - 21/10/2005  10:21 PM

Anik...

Whats the item on the tank ahead of the orbiter?

Avron,

This item is on the tank – look at the photo “Before launch.jpg”…

This item is removed from the tank – look at the photo “During launch.jpg”…

Also look at the photo “Before launch - 2.jpg”… Cables are stretching to this item (maybe power supplies?)...

Thank-you sir...

[Andy L]

It really saddens me to see one of the Soviet Orbiters beheaded and covered in snow. That better not be the fate of NASA's three Orbiters!

[Flightstar]

Andy L - 31/10/2005  5:40 PM

It really saddens me to see one of the Soviet Orbiters beheaded and covered in snow. That better not be the fate of NASA's three Orbiters!

You can be totally sure that our three will have a long and happy retirement and maintained in their prime.

[Chris Bergin]

Yes, and they should also stay in the hands of people that know how to care for them.

[t walker]

A little clarification to add to the brilliant post from the guy with all the 1K 2K etc pictures:

first series spaceworthies:

1K aka 1.01 aka Buran (Destroyed in hanger collapse)
2K aka 1.02 aka Ptichka (owned by Kazahkstan with lots of work potentially flyable but dont get hopes up)

second series spaceworthies:

3K aka 2.01 aka Baikal* (40% finished, in German Aviation museum) *= not definate about name, big argument over this in the past due to Baikal april fools day joke.
4K aka 2.02 no name (Not finished, since dismantled, tiles sold on ebay)
5K aka 2.03 no name (broken up what was built 1995)

test articles

Gorky park Buran often muddled with real thing.
Number of static testers, simulators and aerodynamic testers plus an Enterprise equivilant.

Recognition

If in space or launching, its Buran.
If has red frame on roof and looks finished, its Ptichka.
If its renovated and in an urban enviroment, its the Gorky Park buran.
If it has more black tiles extending around the nose, its a test article that was fitted with engines.
If its sitting in a field rusting, its not a spaceworthy example.
If its half finished, its Baikal.

This may seem simple but for me it really helps in identifying them.

[Avron]

Chris Bergin - 1/11/2005  8:30 AM

Yes, and they should also stay in the hands of people that know how to care for them.

I have space in my back yard..

[anik]

Tom,

Only "Buran" name for the first spacecraft (1K) was official... The second spacecraft (2K) had unofficial "Burya" (not "Ptichka") name... The others spacecrafts had no names in general...

By the way, many thanks for the very good explanation!