Buran Makes Its Only Orbital Flight
The Soviet Buran spacecraft launched on November 15, 1988, carried by an Energia rocket.
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The Event
The Soviet Buran spacecraft launched on November 15, 1988, carried by an Energia rocket. Its first orbital mission flew without a crew.
The Wider Story
After orbiting Earth, Buran returned for an automatic runway landing. The flight demonstrated a complex launch and recovery system but did not begin a continuing operational service.
Putting the Event in Perspective
Buran resembled the American shuttle in some external features, yet its launcher and systems were different.
Reading the Historical Record
A recreation must not substitute a NASA shuttle stack or invent astronauts aboard this mission.
About the Historical Recreation
The accompanying visual is an illustrative reconstruction: an Energia rocket carrying Buran followed by the uncrewed orbiter approaching a runway. It is not authentic archival footage, an eyewitness record or additional evidence for the event.
Sources
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