View source for Engineering:Buran (spacecraft)

{{short description|Soviet winged orbital vehicle}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox space shuttle
| name         = ''Buran''
| native_name  = Буран
| native_name_lang = ru
| type         = [[Engineering:Buran programme|''Buran''-class orbiter]]
| number       = 1.01
| image        = Buran on An-225 (Le Bourget 1989) 1.JPEG
| image_size   = 275px
| caption      = ''Buran'' on An-225 at the 1989 Paris Air Show
| country      = [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet Union]]
| named_after  = Russian for "Snowstorm"<ref name= "nasa">{{cite web |url=http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/rsa/buran.html |title=Buran |publisher=NASA |date=12 November 1997 |access-date=15 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060804153528/http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/rsa/buran.html |archive-date=4 August 2006}}</ref> or "Blizzard"
| first_flight = {{start date and age|1988|11|15|df=y}}<ref name="nasa" />
| missions     = 1<ref name="nasa" />
| crews        = 0<ref name="nasa" />
| orbits       = 2<ref name="nasa" />
| status       = Destroyed<br/>{{end date and age|2002|05|12|df=y}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0205/13baikonur/ |title=Eight feared dead in Baikonur hangar collapse |work=Spaceflight Now |date=16 May 2002}}</ref>
}}
'''''Buran''''' ({{lang-ru|Буран}}, {{IPA-ru|bʊˈran|IPA}}, meaning "Snowstorm" or "Blizzard"; GRAU index serial number: 11F35 '''1K''', construction number: '''1.01''') was the first [[Astronomy:Spaceplane|spaceplane]] to be produced as part of the Soviet/Russian [[Engineering:Buran programme|Buran program]]. Buran completed one uncrewed spaceflight in 1988, and was destroyed in 2002 due to the collapse of its storage hangar.<ref name="Zak">{{cite web |last=Zak |first=Anatoly |date=25 December 2018 |title=Buran reusable orbiter |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/buran.html |access-date=28 June 2019 |publisher=Russian Space Web}}</ref> The Buran-class orbiters used the [[Engineering:Expendable launch system|expendable]] Energia rocket, a class of [[Engineering:Super heavy-lift launch vehicle|super heavy-lift launch vehicle]]. Besides describing the first operational Soviet/Russian shuttle orbiter, "Buran" was also the designation for the entire Soviet/Russian spaceplane project and its flight articles, which were known as "Buran-class orbiters".

==Construction==

The construction of the Buran spacecraft began in 1980, and by 1984 the first full-scale orbiter was rolled out.  Over 1000 companies all over the Soviet Union were involved in construction and development. The Buran spacecraft was made to be launched on the Soviet Union's super-heavy lift vehicle, Energia. The Buran program ended in 1993.<ref name="astronautix" />
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#efefef;" | Date
! style="background:#efefef;" | Milestone<ref>{{cite web |title="Reusable space system "Energia – Buran" (in russian) |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/gud%2021.htm |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ground preparation |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/ongrmain.htm |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 1980
| Assembly started
|-
| August 1983
| Fuselage delivery to NPO Energia
|-
| March 1984
| Start of comprehensive electrical testing
|-
| December 1984
| Delivery to Baikonur
|-
| April 1986
| Start of final assembly
|-
| 15 November 1987
| Final assembly completed
|-
| 15 November 1987 – 15 February 1988
| Testing in MIK OK
|-
| 19 May – 10 June 1988
| Test rollout
|-
| 15 November 1988
| Orbital flight (1K1)
|}

== Technical description ==
[[File:04 OK-1.01.png|right|300px|thumb|Buran OK-1.01 orbiter general layout]]
The Buran orbiter is built around the airframe, which is its main structural component, since all other components are attached to it. The components necessary for flight make up approx. 20% of the weight of the orbiter, while another 11% of weight is added by payload systems and removable parts. The wings of the Buran orbiter contain elevators whose position can be changed from +35° to −20°.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/kon_ok.htm|title=Конструкция "Бурана"|website=www.buran.ru|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427204139/http://www.buran.ru/htm/kon_ok.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Exterior ===
[[File:OK-GLI - thermal plates zoom - Technik Museum Speyer.jpg|thumb|Buran heat tiles visible on the OK-GLI aerotester, on display at the Technik Museum Speyer]]
Buran orbiters have their exterior covered in 38,600 heat shielding tiles designed to withstand 100 reentries,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/raskroy.htm|title=Раскрой плиток|website=www.buran.ru|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430124809/http://www.buran.ru/htm/raskroy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/> which themselves were very similar to the ones on the US Space Shuttle.<ref name="buranrutersaf4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/tersaf4.htm|title=Типы теплозащиты|website=www.buran.ru|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430105527/http://www.buran.ru/htm/tersaf4.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the carbon-carbon Buran heat tiles have an antioxidant molybdenum disilicide coating. The black coating in the carbon-carbon heat tiles helps dissipate heat, and, similarly to the heat tiles used in the Space Shuttle, Buran heat tiles are glued to the orbiter, and the bottom of the heat tiles are left uncoated to equalize the pressure in the tile with that of its surroundings, preventing additional mechanical loads. The gaps between tiles are deliberate to allow for thermal expansion. The gaps were filled with quartz fiber, rope, alkaline elements, inserts and brush seals, and the carbon-carbon heat tiles were also waterproofed.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/tersaf.htm|title=Теплозащита|website=www.buran.ru|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430105505/http://www.buran.ru/htm/tersaf.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Buran and Space Shuttle orbiters are exposed to similar temperatures, and both have similar levels of insulation. Buran has a different carbon-carbon heat tile layout in its underside, in which all gaps between heat tiles are parallel or perpendicular to the direction of airflow through the orbiter's underside, reducing heat in between heat tiles and in the boundary layer between the heat tiles and surrounding air, while helping maintain a laminar airflow through the orbiter.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/molniya5.htm|title=Buran Orbiter|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025405/http://www.buran.ru/htm/molniya5.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>

=== Crew module ===
[[File:OK-GLI Technik Museum Speyer 2008 25.JPG|thumb|Top of the Buran crew module, at the front of the ship, with the flight deck (Command Compartment - KO) visible through the payload bay windows.]]
The crew module is an all-metal, welded, pressurised compartment housing the crew's workplaces, control and life support systems. It has three decks. The flight deck, known as the Command Compartment (KO), is the workspace for the crew and serves to accommodate the commander, pilot, engineer and mission specialist's seats, as well as the RMS operator's workplace. The middeck or Habitation Compartment (BO), serves as the living and sleeping quarters for the crew. It contains lockers, a galley, sleeping bags and a toilet in addition to three instrument bays with radio equipment and thermal control systems. Up to six crew members could be seated in the middeck during launch and reentry. The lower deck, known as the Aggregate Compartment (AO) houses the life support system, the power supply systems and parts of the thermal control system.<ref name="bru_cocpit/htm/cocpit">{{cite web |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/cocpit.htm |title=Модуль кабины (МК) орбитального корабля "Буран" (11Ф35) |website=Buran.ru |language=ru |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430105415/http://www.buran.ru/htm/cocpit.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The cockpit is similar in layout to that of the space shuttle, with three [[Engineering:Cathode-ray tube|cathode-ray tube]] displays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/soi.htm|title=Конструкция "Бурана" - система отображения информации (СОИ) в кабине|website=www.buran.ru|access-date=29 November 2020|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430173300/http://www.buran.ru/htm/soi.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Docking system ===
[[File:"Buran" docked to "Mir" space station.jpg|thumb|Shuttle Buran docked to [[Astronomy:Mir|Mir]] using the docking module in the forward part of the payload bay (artist concept)]]
The docking module ({{lang-ru|label=none|Стыковочный Модуль}}) is mounted into the forward part of the payload bay. It is a spherical compartment with a diameter of {{convert|2.67|m|ft|abbr=on}}, with a cylindrical tunnel leading to the androgynous peripheral docking unit (APAS-89). Unlike the U.S. Space Shuttle, the docking compartment for Buran features an extendable tunnel to increase clearance between orbiter and station. Another hatch, facing into the payload bay, was to support extravehicular activity from the orbiter.<ref name="addons">{{cite web |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/equipm.htm |title=Сменные отсеки и универсальное оборудование |website=Buran.ru |language=ru |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430105419/http://www.buran.ru/htm/equipm.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Remote manipulator ===
The Onboard Manipulator System ({{lang-ru|label=none|Система Бортовых Манипуляторов}}), similar to the Space Shuttle's RMS, was developed at the Central Research and Development Institute for Robotics and Technical Cybernetics to support operations with payload. It could be operated both in manual and automatic modes. Buran-class orbiter could carry, depending on the mission, one or two manipulator arms.<ref name="addons" /><ref name="manipulator">{{cite web |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/bighand.htm |title=Средства обеспечения работ с полезным грузом: система бортовых манипуляторов "Аист" |website=Buran.ru |language=ru |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430105409/http://www.buran.ru/htm/bighand.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="rtc">{{cite web |url=https://rtc.ru/history/ |title=История ЦНИИ РТК |trans-title=History of the Central Research Institute of RTK |website=RTC.ru |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513144601/https://rtc.ru/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Laboratory modules ===
[[File:Buran (37637942876).jpg|thumb|Laboratory module mockup inside the payload bay of the OK-GLI aerotester, on display at the Technik Museum Speyer]]
To expand Buran{{'s}} capabilities, pressurised modules similar to ESA's [[Astronomy:Spacelab|Spacelab]] were designed based on the [[Astronomy:Kvant-1|37K design]]. These modules had to be both compartments to conduct experiments and logistics volume, could be mounted either in the payload bay and connected to the crew cabin via tunnel or be temporarily docked to Mir's [[Astronomy:Kristall|Kristall]] radial docking port. On Buran{{'s}} maiden flight, the Accessory Unit ({{lang-ru|label=none|Блок Дополнительных Приборов}}) 37KB No.37070 was installed into the orbiter's payload bay. It carried recording equipment and accumulators providing power to onboard systems as the regular fuel cells based power system were not ready at the time. The second unit, 37KB No.37071 was built in 1987. It was planned to build a third unit, 37KB No.37072, but this never happened because of programme cancellation.<ref name="labmodules">{{cite web |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/newssp.htm |title="Буран" - полет в никуда? (К 10-летию со дня запуска) |website=Buran.ru |language=ru |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430111048/http://www.buran.ru/htm/newssp.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Propulsion ===
[[File:Buran partial rear view (Le Bourget 1989).JPEG|thumb|Orbital maneuvering engines at the back of Buran]]
Orbital maneuvering is provided by the Joint Propulsion System ({{lang-ru|label=none|Объединенная Двигательная Установка}}).<ref name="odu">{{cite web |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/odu.htm |title=Объединенная двигательная установка (ОДУ) |website=Buran.ru |language=ru |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417205403/http://www.buran.ru/htm/odu.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Automatic landing system ===
The automatic landing system is capable of performing a fully automatic descent, approach and landing from any point located in the "admissible starting conditions area" at {{convert|100|km|mi}} altitude, controlling the orbiter's flight during the descent. Covering {{convert|8000|km|nmi}} during the approach and eventually slowing down from {{convert|28000|km/h|kn}} to zero.<ref name="buranrulandingalgo">{{cite web |title=Траектории спуска и посадки орбитального корабля "Буран". Алгоритмы автоматического управления |url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/algoritm.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416211923/https://www.buran.ru/htm/algoritm.htm |archive-date=16 April 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=Буран.ру}}</ref>

The first Buran flight was notable for the automatic landing system electing to perform an unlikely (estimated 3% probability) manoeuvre at the {{convert|20|km|ft}} key point, which was needed to extend the glide distance and bleed excessive energy. The standard approach was from the south and consisted of two left turns onto the final approach course. Instead, it performed additional turns in both directions and overflew the field to its northern side, before making a right turn back onto the final course. The landing system elected to perform the manoeuvre as the orbiter's energy didn't decrease enough due to strong-gusty winds in the area, measured at {{convert|15|m/s|kn}} and gusting up to {{convert|20|m/s|kn}} at ground level.<ref name="buranrufirsflight">{{cite web |title=Полет орбитального корабля "Буран" 15 ноября 1988 г. |url=https://www.buran.ru/htm/flight.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416212446/https://www.buran.ru/htm/flight.htm |archive-date=16 April 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=Буран.ру}}</ref>

==Specifications==
[[File:CCCP Buran.png|thumb|Buran on launch configuration, attached to an Energia rocket]]
The dry mass of Buran-class orbiters is quoted as 62 tonnes, with a maximum payload of 30 tonnes, for a maximum launch mass of 105 tonnes.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Mirovaja pilotiruemaja kosmonavtika: istorija, technika, ljudi |date=2005 |publisher=Izdat. RTSoft |isbn=978-5-9900271-2-1 |editor-last=Baturin |editor-first=Ju M. |location=Moskva |editor-last2=Baturin |editor-first2=Jurij M.}}</ref>

'''Mass breakdown'''<ref name="Zak" />
* Total mass of structure and landing systems: {{convert|42000|kg|abbr=on}}
* Mass of functional systems and propulsion: {{convert|33000|kg|abbr=on}}
* Maximum payload: {{convert|30000|kg|abbr=on}}
* Maximum liftoff weight: {{convert|105000|kg|abbr=on}}

'''Dimensions'''<ref name="Zak" /><ref name="astronautix" />
* Length: {{convert|36.37|m|abbr=on}}
* Wingspan: {{convert|23.92|m|abbr=on}}
* Height on gear: {{convert|16.35|m|abbr=on}}
* Payload bay length: {{convert|18.55|m|abbr=on}}
* Payload bay diameter: {{convert|4.65|m|abbr=on}}
* Wing chine sweep: 78 degrees
* Wing sweep: 45 degrees

'''Propulsion'''<ref name="astronautix" />
* Total orbital manoeuvring engine thrust: {{convert|17600|kgf|abbr=on}}
* Orbital manoeuvring engine [[Physics:Specific impulse|specific impulse]]: {{convert|362|isp}}
* Total manoeuvring impulse: unknown
* Total [[Engineering:Reaction control system|RCS]] thrust: {{convert|14866|kgf|abbr=on}}
* Average RCS specific impulse: {{convert|275|-|295|isp}}
* Normal maximum propellant load: {{convert|14500|kg|abbr=on}}

Unlike the US [[Engineering:Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]], which was propelled by a combination of solid boosters and the orbiter's own liquid-propellant engines fuelled from a large tank, the Soviet/Russian Energia launch system used thrust from each booster's RD-170 liquid oxygen/kerosene engine (each with four nozzles), developed by [[Biography:Valentin Glushko|Valentin Glushko]], and another four RD-0120 liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engines attached to the central block.<ref name="buranvssts">{{cite web |title=The orbiters and the launch vehicle |url=http://www.buran.su/buranvssts-comparison.php |access-date=28 June 2019 |website=Buran.su}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:Buran.jpg|thumb|upright|''Buran'' during launch of flight 1K1 on 15 November 1988]]
{{Main|Astronomy:List of Buran missions}}

===Orbital flight===
The only orbital launch of a Buran-class orbiter, 1K1 (first orbiter, first flight<ref name="projected"/>) occurred at 03:00:02&nbsp;[[Physics:Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on 15 November 1988 from Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad 110/37.<ref name="Zak" /><ref name="energia20081114">{{cite web |url=http://www.energia.ru/eng/news/news-2008/photo_11-14.html |title=S.P.Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia held a ceremony... |work=Energia.ru |date=14 November 2008 |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Buran was lifted into space, on an uncrewed mission, by the specially designed Energia rocket. The automated launch sequence performed as specified, and the Energia rocket lifted the vehicle into a temporary orbit before the orbiter separated as programmed. After boosting itself to a higher orbit and completing two orbits around the Earth, the ODU ({{lang-ru|Объединенная Двигательная Установка}}, Combined Propulsion System) engines fired automatically to begin the descent into the atmosphere, return to the launch site, and horizontal landing on a runway.<ref name="natGeo">{{cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160412-soviet-union-space-shuttle-buran-cosmonaut-day-gagarin/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415135433/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160412-soviet-union-space-shuttle-buran-cosmonaut-day-gagarin/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2016 |title=The Forgotten Soviet Space Shuttle Could Fly Itself |publisher=[[Organization:National Geographic Society|National Geographic Society]] |first=Brian |last=Handwerk |date=12 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref>

After making an automated approach to [[Engineering:Yubileyniy Airport|Site 251]],<ref name="Zak" /> Buran touched down under its own control at 06:24:42&nbsp;UTC and came to a stop at 06:25:24,<ref name="buran1stfl">{{cite web |url=http://www.buran-energia.com/bourane-buran/bourane-versvol-1erVol.php |title=Buran-Energia: 1st Flight |work=Буран |access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> 206 minutes after launch.<ref name="rockets_and_people">{{cite book |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20050010181 |title=Raketi i lyudi |trans-title=Rockets and People |publisher=NASA |series=History Series |first=Boris |last=Chertok |editor-first=Asif A. |editor-last=Siddiqi |page=179 |year=2005}}</ref> Under a crosswind of {{convert|61.2|km/h|mph}}, Buran landed {{convert|3|m|ft}} laterally and {{convert|10|m|ft}} longitudinally from the target mark.<ref name="rockets_and_people" /><ref name="sd20131119a">{{cite news |url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_starts_ambitious_super_heavy_space_rocket_project_999.html |title=Russia starts ambitious super-heavy space rocket project |work=Space Daily |date=19 November 2013 |access-date=13 December 2013}}</ref> It was the first [[Astronomy:Spaceplane|spaceplane]] to perform an uncrewed flight, including landing in fully automatic mode.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-spacecraft-to-orbit-and-land-unmanned |title=Largest spacecraft to orbit and land unmanned |date=15 November 1988 |publisher=Guinness World Records |access-date=10 March 2017}}</ref> It was later found that Buran had lost eight of its 38,000 thermal tiles over the course of its flight.<ref name="sd20131119a" />

===Projected flights===
In 1989, it was projected that Buran would have an uncrewed second flight by 1993, with a duration of 15–20 days.<ref name="projected">{{cite web |url=http://www.buran.ru/htm/pilots.htm |title=Экипажи "Бурана" Несбывшиеся планы |website=Buran.ru |language=ru |access-date=5 August 2006}}</ref> Although the Buran programme was never officially cancelled, the dissolution of the Soviet Union led to funding drying up and this flight never took place.<ref name=astronautix>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Mark |last=Wade |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautics |url=http://www.astronautix.com/b/buran.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820170842/http://www.astronautix.com/b/buran.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 August 2016 |title=Buran |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Astronomy:List of Buran missions|List of Buran missions]]
* [[Engineering:OK-GLI|OK-GLI]] – Buran Analog BST-02 test vehicle
* [[Engineering:Ptichka|Buran shuttle 1.02 ''Ptichka'']]
* [[Engineering:2.01 (Buran-class spacecraft)|Buran shuttle 2.01]] 
* [[Engineering:2.02 (Buran-class spacecraft)|Buran shuttle 2.02]]
* [[Engineering:2.03 (Buran-class spacecraft)|Buran shuttle 2.03]]

* [[Engineering:MAKS (spacecraft)|MAKS (spacecraft)]] – Soviet air-launched spaceplane concept
* [[Engineering:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-105|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-105]] – Soviet spaceplane test program
* [[Engineering:Space Shuttle program|Space Shuttle program]] – American spaceplane program
* [[Engineering:Tupolev OOS|Tupolev OOS]] – Soviet air-launched spaceplane concept

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Energiya-Buran: The Soviet Space Shuttle |publisher=Springer-Praxis |first1=Bart |last1=Hendrickx |first2=Bert |last2=Vis |page=526 |date=2007 |isbn=978-0-387-69848-9 |bibcode=2007ebss.book.....H}}
* {{cite book |title=History and Transportation of the Russian Space Shuttle OK-GLI to the Technik Museum Speyer |publisher=Technik Museum Speyer |first1=Heinz |last1=Elser |first2=Margrit |last2=Elser-Haft |first3=Vladim |last3=Lukashevich |date=2008 |isbn=978-3-9809437-7-2}}

==External links==

{{Buran program}}
{{Space Shuttles}}
{{Crewed spacecraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buran (Spacecraft)}}
[[Category:Crewed spacecraft]]
[[Category:Partially reusable space launch vehicles]]
[[Category:Rocket-powered aircraft]]

{{Sourceattribution|Buran (spacecraft)}}