ROCKETS & LAUNCH VEHICLES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z           HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Buran Soviet reusable space shuttle similar in design to its American counterpart, but with two important differences: it could be flown automatically and it did not have reusable boosters. Piloted tests of Buran ("Snowstorm") fitted with ordinary jet engines were carried out extensively in the atmosphere. However, its first and only orbital flight, launched by a giant Energia rocket on Nov. 15, 1988, was unmanned. The autopilot that landed the shuttle was able to overcome a 34 mph crosswind to land within 5 feet of the runway center line. Also, of the 38,000 heat shield tiles that covered Buran, only 5 were missing. Two more orbiters like Burans were manufactured, but after the sole unpiloted mission, the program was canceled in 1993 due to funding problems. Related categories    • ROCKETS, MISSILES, AND LAUNCH VEHICLES    • RUSSIAN LAUNCH VEHICLES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP