The Buran spacecraft was the Soviet Union's response to NASA's space shuttle program. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Soviets made one too, and it was known as the Buran. The Buran did fly in space – just once, in November 1988, not long before the Soviet Union collapsed. Its lone mission was uncrewed.

The Soviets made one too, and it was known as the Buran. The Buran did fly in space – just once, in November 1988, not long before the Soviet Union collapsed. Its lone mission was uncrewed.

The Buran spacecraft was the Soviet Union's response to NASA's Space Shuttle, developed during the peak of Cold War rivalry. On the surface, it looked nearly identical - but its origins tell a ...