Buran (Russian: Буран, meaning "Snowstorm" or "Blizzard") is a Soviet spaceplane, a part of the Buran programmeW. It has the capability to dock to a space station (possibly in LEO) and use its 2 OMS thrusters to get into LLO (Low Lunar Orbit). The Buran is launched on the EnergiaW super heavy-lift launch vehicle. The spacecraft can be modified to host weapons on the two sides of the cargo bay.
History[]
The first flight of Buran took place in September 1983. The launch from Sakhalin IslandW was detected by an US recon satellite.[1]
After reaching orbit, Buran docked to the Soviet space station Mir for several hours. In Houston, it was supposed that they might either just testing their docking system, or that they could also refuel at the station for a later flight to the Moon. After some hours, Buran separated from Mir, picked up delta-vW in the TLI window, and headed towards the Moon.[1]
In lunar orbit, Buran and Pathfinder had a standoff. Pathfinder fired two missiles, but Ed Baldwin diverted them to Sea Dragon 17.[2]
Gallery[]
Behind the scenes[]
In OTL, Buran only had one unmanned flight in 1988. The program was cancelled shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Unlike in For All Mankind, the Energia launch vehicle used kerolox and hydrolox fuels - no solid rocket boosters. [Citation needed] A total of 5 Buran-class shuttles were (partially) built in real-life, though only one was completed, Buran.
See also[]
External links[]
Buran (spacecraft) on Wikipedia- Buran programme on Wikipedia
- Spektr: Buran soviet space shuttle on YouTube (Footage of the Buran and its first & only launch)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 For All Mankind TV Series - Season 2, Episode 9: "Triage"
- ↑ For All Mankind TV Series - Season 2, Episode 10: "The Grey"