Comments on: Soviet shuttle finally gets a home http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:16:01 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: News From Space! - The Original Space Weblog » Soviet Shuttle Finally Gets a Home http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9809 News From Space! - The Original Space Weblog » Soviet Shuttle Finally Gets a Home Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:32:01 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9809 [...] finally landed in a museum.  After a long history and a virtual world tour, a Shuttle Buran was put on permanent display to the public on Friday at the “Technik Museum Speyer” near Manheim, Germany. This entry is [...] [...] finally landed in a museum.  After a long history and a virtual world tour, a Shuttle Buran was put on permanent display to the public on Friday at the “Technik Museum Speyer” near Manheim, Germany. This entry is [...]

]]> By: Buran Researcher http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9603 Buran Researcher Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:02:16 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9603 Buran program ran out of money. My uncle was working for the R&D department in Energia (Энергия). Their funds were melting faster than a piece of ice in August's heat. To confirm some previous members of this blog, yes Buran flight was 100% controlled by computers. No, they did not consider it to unsafe for people, in fact the pilots petitioned the government to allow them to fly first. Petition was denied. There were 2 objectives. First - Russians were looking to prove that 100% automatic delivery platform for huge payload of nukes is possible. Second - achieve and fully test the highest possible payload at the low cost. Energia was and still is the largest and the most powerful booster. While US is using solid fuels Russians went the opposite way. People were laughing that Energia is flying on water. Oxygen (cooled to -186°C) and hydrogen (about -255°C) were mixed together and provided low cost (but highly explosive) alternative to solids. There were several attempts to revive the program. My personal opinion Russians use the disposable rockets for the very much the same reason we have regular hammer and pneumatic tools. Hammer is cheap and simple to operate. There is another, rarely discussed issue. Each time Russians put their rocket into space they confirm to themselves and to the rest of the world that their ICBMs can fly and they fly with very high percentage of success. Buran program ran out of money. My uncle was working for the R&D department in Energia (Энергия). Their funds were melting faster than a piece of ice in August's heat. To confirm some previous members of this blog, yes Buran flight was 100% controlled by computers. No, they did not consider it to unsafe for people, in fact the pilots petitioned the government to allow them to fly first. Petition was denied. There were 2 objectives. First – Russians were looking to prove that 100% automatic delivery platform for huge payload of nukes is possible. Second – achieve and fully test the highest possible payload at the low cost. Energia was and still is the largest and the most powerful booster. While US is using solid fuels Russians went the opposite way. People were laughing that Energia is flying on water. Oxygen (cooled to -186°C) and hydrogen (about -255°C) were mixed together and provided low cost (but highly explosive) alternative to solids. There were several attempts to revive the program. My personal opinion Russians use the disposable rockets for the very much the same reason we have regular hammer and pneumatic tools. Hammer is cheap and simple to operate. There is another, rarely discussed issue. Each time Russians put their rocket into space they confirm to themselves and to the rest of the world that their ICBMs can fly and they fly with very high percentage of success.

]]> By: Norvin Adams III http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9595 Norvin Adams III Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:40:58 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9595 All about Buran... http://www.buran.ru/htm/molniya5.htm All about Buran...

http://www.buran.ru/htm/molniya5.htm

]]> By: Carl http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9588 Carl Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:07:29 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9588 A few points about the Soviet space program: 1. They were not nearly as advanced as the US. Check out their success sending spacecraft to Mars. 2. The Buran flew by remote/computer control because they didn't have the confidence to put humans in it, not because they were so advanced. No manned aircraft flies like that even now. 3. Who knows what really happened with the Buran. Maybe it had serious problems. They didn't always share details with the public. A few points about the Soviet space program:
1. They were not nearly as advanced as the US. Check out their success sending spacecraft to Mars.
2. The Buran flew by remote/computer control because they didn't have the confidence to put humans in it, not because they were so advanced. No manned aircraft flies like that even now.
3. Who knows what really happened with the Buran. Maybe it had serious problems. They didn't always share details with the public.

]]> By: Frank http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9574 Frank Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:58:24 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9574 Here is a great site on the Buran, by Molniya, the Russian design bureau that built the vehicle: http://www.buran.ru/htm/molniya.htm The shuttle in the photo in this article was what is referred to as an "analog". It was used strictly for approach and landing testing. The Molniya web site states "For working up the most responsible (I think they meant "demanding") flight phase - landing approach and landing - the BURAN flying prototype was constructed. In general it distinguished from the orbital vehicle by installation of four turbojet engines and accordingly by capability of an independent takeoff from the airfield." So, there's your answer about the engines - they were NOT on the actual Buran that flew into space. That vehicle landed like a glider, just like the U.S. shuttle. The U.S. Shuttle was and is much more sophisticated than Buran ever was. We had a far larger budget to build ours, as has usually been the case when Russian/Soviet space hardware and ours is compared. However, through boldness and determination, the Russians have built a long list of space achievements that they can rightly be proud of. Their space program and ours has been compared often to the fable of the rabbit and the turtle. They move steadily along, always building on their past, while we here in the U.S. tend to always be reinventing the wheel with our space program, moving ahead in starts and stops. Also remember that the U.S. space shuttle as is was the result of what happens when money is appropriated by policticians. In order to get the votes needed, a lot of $$ was no doubt wasted in pork barrel spending - doling out bits and pieces of the production to different states to get their Congressmen to sign on to it. The we had the DOD get involved, and the Shuttle became the do-all and end-all of space exploration for us. I seem to recall that, for a while, it became ILLEGAL in this country to send a satellite into space on an expendable launch vehicle! OK, enough from me. Here is a great site on the Buran, by Molniya, the Russian design bureau that built the vehicle:

http://www.buran.ru/htm/molniya.htm

The shuttle in the photo in this article was what is referred to as an "analog". It was used strictly for approach and landing testing. The Molniya web site states "For working up the most responsible (I think they meant "demanding") flight phase – landing approach and landing – the BURAN flying prototype was constructed. In general it distinguished from the orbital vehicle by installation of four turbojet engines and accordingly by capability of an independent takeoff from the airfield." So, there's your answer about the engines – they were NOT on the actual Buran that flew into space. That vehicle landed like a glider, just like the U.S. shuttle.

The U.S. Shuttle was and is much more sophisticated than Buran ever was. We had a far larger budget to build ours, as has usually been the case when Russian/Soviet space hardware and ours is compared. However, through boldness and determination, the Russians have built a long list of space achievements that they can rightly be proud of. Their space program and ours has been compared often to the fable of the rabbit and the turtle. They move steadily along, always building on their past, while we here in the U.S. tend to always be reinventing the wheel with our space program, moving ahead in starts and stops.

Also remember that the U.S. space shuttle as is was the result of what happens when money is appropriated by policticians. In order to get the votes needed, a lot of $$ was no doubt wasted in pork barrel spending – doling out bits and pieces of the production to different states to get their Congressmen to sign on to it. The we had the DOD get involved, and the Shuttle became the do-all and end-all of space exploration for us. I seem to recall that, for a while, it became ILLEGAL in this country to send a satellite into space on an expendable launch vehicle!

OK, enough from me.

]]> By: Buran Researcher http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9572 Buran Researcher Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:32:51 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9572 OK guys. Buran was not landing in snow storm. Yes, there are several dozens of short videos that were broadcasted and taped (I assume) by regular folks. Some (videos) have made it to the modern age. Here are some links: http://rutube.ru/tracks/8472.html?v=676fb22a20a64df2dab1d1d075d7f665 http://vefire.tomsk.ru/play/?48ddf75183ed1 The following video is mostly about "Mria", the airplane that was "dragging" Buran around, however there are lots of closeups for those who want to learn more about Buran. http://rutube.ru/tracks/519732.html?v=47951b0c8bea52695d56781395cdc7d3 This one has few shots of Buran being accompanied by Russian fighters. The narrator in the video claims that Russians started their Buran because they assumed that US Shuttle Program was the next step in nuclear arms race. Video has LOTS of shots of pre-Buran projects. http://rutube.ru/tracks/750032.html?v=b66e732d0ce5c6e33ec801b922b1d1b4 Another interesting comment. Russians were building 10 shuttles at the same time!!! OK guys. Buran was not landing in snow storm. Yes, there are several dozens of short videos that were broadcasted and taped (I assume) by regular folks. Some (videos) have made it to the modern age. Here are some links:

http://rutube.ru/tracks/8472.html?v=676fb22a20a64df2dab1d1d075d7f665
http://vefire.tomsk.ru/play/?48ddf75183ed1
The following video is mostly about "Mria", the airplane that was "dragging" Buran around, however there are lots of closeups for those who want to learn more about Buran.
http://rutube.ru/tracks/519732.html?v=47951b0c8bea52695d56781395cdc7d3
This one has few shots of Buran being accompanied by Russian fighters. The narrator in the video claims that Russians started their Buran because they assumed that US Shuttle Program was the next step in nuclear arms race. Video has LOTS of shots of pre-Buran projects.
http://rutube.ru/tracks/750032.html?v=b66e732d0ce5c6e33ec801b922b1d1b4

Another interesting comment. Russians were building 10 shuttles at the same time!!!

]]> By: Franko http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9546 Franko Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:54:29 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9546 Fundamental design flaw, so basic, why US and USSR both missed it ? The Cinese are getting it right. Yin is not Yang. Yang is not Yin Girl and Boy different. Up and down are opposites "Dr. Gene Ray, Cubic and King of Genius. THERE IS NO DAMN GOD - ONEism IS A DEATH TRAP for Mom and Dad Opposites. You're Educated ONE Nitwits," All the education in US produced Nitwits, plans copied by USSR Nitwits. Stupid, or simply dumb Nitwits, missed the simple up and down. Mission, optimized for maximum to orbit, implies minimum to bring back. The goal is to get heavy to orbit. Fundamental design flaw, so basic, why US and USSR both missed it ?
The Cinese are getting it right. Yin is not Yang. Yang is not Yin
Girl and Boy different. Up and down are opposites

"Dr. Gene Ray, Cubic and King of Genius.
THERE IS NO DAMN GOD – ONEism IS A DEATH TRAP
for Mom and Dad Opposites. You're Educated ONE Nitwits,"

All the education in US produced Nitwits, plans copied by USSR Nitwits.
Stupid, or simply dumb Nitwits, missed the simple up and down.
Mission, optimized for maximum to orbit, implies minimum to bring back.
The goal is to get heavy to orbit.

]]> By: Bill Mosby http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9535 Bill Mosby Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:52:23 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9535 Actually, Greg, there was a snowstorm when Buran landed. Because that's what the word buran means in Russian. Somehow that part of the story has become muddled! Actually, Greg, there was a snowstorm when Buran landed. Because that's what the word buran means in Russian. Somehow that part of the story has become muddled!

]]> By: jim http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9527 jim Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:05:31 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9527 The summer Olympics WERE in Sydney The summer Olympics WERE in Sydney

]]> By: Joe http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/04/soviet-shuttle-finally-gets-a-home/#comment-9524 Joe Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:53:17 +0000 http://cnnscitech.wordpress.com/?p=1318#comment-9524 Nice freakn' picture of a model rocket David! No wonder there are NO pictures of this turkey ever flying! http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/models/vault2004/buranlaunch2.jpg Nice freakn' picture of a model rocket David! No wonder there are NO pictures of this turkey ever flying!

http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/models/vault2004/buranlaunch2.jpg

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