Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Space race

Russia's secret space shuttles have been sitting in plain sight for 22 years

Take a look at the Buran.

IN 1974, RUSSIA launched its largest, most expensive project in space exploration history.

The stars of the project, called the Buran program, were its space shuttles, which were built in secret from designs the Soviet secret police stole from NASA.

The Soviets invested anywhere from tens of millions to billions on the project, which was terminated in 1993. The sites where the shuttles were laid to rest have since been completely abandoned.

Photographer Ralph Mirebs recently visited one of these dust-ridden graveyards and chronicled the journey on his LiveJournal blog, where you can see the full collection.

The abandoned hangar is located on a site that belong to Russia’s space launch facility, called Baikonur Cosmodrome, where rockets are still launched today.

the-abandoned-garage-also-called-a-hangar-is-located-on-a-site-that-belong-to-russias-space-launch-facility-called-baikonur-cosmodrome-where-rockets-are-still-launched-today Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

The abandoned hangar is 433 feet long and 203 feet high with giant doors on either end, shown below, that slid open to release the shuttles.

the-abandoned-hangar-is-433-feet-long-and-203-feet-high-with-giant-doors-on-either-end-shown-below-that-slid-open-to-release-the-shuttles Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Near the top of this photo are beams attached with cranes that could lift up to 400 tons.

near-the-top-of-this-photo-are-beams-attached-with-cranes-that-could-lift-up-to-400-tons Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Buran is Russian for “snowstorm” or “blizzard.” The Russians built only few prototypes of these shuttles, and only one of them actually flew.

buran-is-russian-for-snowstorm-or-blizzard-the-russians-built-only-few-prototypes-of-these-shuttles-and-only-one-of-them-actually-flew Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

The shuttles were designed to carry cosmonauts into space but never did. The first and only flight was unmanned. It took place in 1988 and lasted a total of 206 minutes, during which time the spacecraft successfully launched, orbited Earth twice, and landed.

the-shuttles-were-designed-to-carry-cosmonauts-into-space-but-never-did-the-first-and-only-flight-was-unmanned-it-took-place-in-1988-and-lasted-a-total-of-206-minutes-during-which-time-the-spacecraft-successfully- Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Stored in this hangar are two shuttles that never flew. The only shuttle that reached space was destroyed in 2002 when the roof of the hangar it was stored in collapsed.

stored-in-this-hangar-are-two-shuttles-that-never-flew-the-only-shuttle-that-reached-space-was-destroyed-in-2002-when-the-roof-of-the-hangar-it-was-stored-in-collapsed Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Mirebs took this epic shot of both shuttles from a viewing platform at one end of the hangar.

mirebs-took-this-epic-shot-of-both-shuttles-from-a-viewing-platform-at-one-end-of-the-hangar Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Lining the walls of the hangar are ramps that former workers used to reach different levels of the building.

lining-the-walls-of-the-hangar-are-ramps-that-former-workers-used-to-reach-different-levels-of-the-building Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

According to Mirebs, the building’s support beams, shown below, were made from special steel that could withstand the shockwave if there was an explosion during construction.

according-to-mirebs-the-buildings-support-beams-shown-below-were-made-from-special-steel-that-could-withstand-the-shockwave-if-there-was-an-explosion-during-construction Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Not surprisingly, after sitting for 22 years, the shuttles are not in superb, or even good, condition. Here you can see a broken window on one of the shuttle’s cockpit sky windows.

not-surprisingly-after-sitting-for-22-years-the-shuttles-are-not-in-superb-or-even-good-condition-here-you-can-see-a-broken-window-on-one-of-the-shuttles-cockpit-sky-windows Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Dust isn’t the only thing covering these shuttles. Look closely and you’ll see a generous smattering of bird droppings across the nose of this shuttle:

dust-isnt-the-only-thing-covering-these-shuttles-look-closely-and-youll-see-a-generous-smattering-of-bird-droppings-across-the-nose-of-this-shuttle Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

It looks like the birds missed the second shuttle, facing the opposite end of the hangar.

it-looks-like-the-birds-missed-the-second-shuttle-facing-the-opposite-end-of-the-hangar Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Like NASA’s space shuttles, the Buran shuttles were designed for reuse. The single shuttle that was launched in 1988 remains the only reusable spacecraft Russia has ever launched.

like-nasas-space-shuttles-the-buran-shuttles-were-designed-for-reuse-the-single-shuttle-that-was-launched-in-1988-remains-the-only-reusable-spacecraft-russia-has-ever-launched Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Like the shuttles, the building is also falling apart. You can see that the steel beams holding the building together are severely rusted.

like-the-shuttles-the-building-is-also-falling-apart-you-can-see-that-the-steel-beams-holding-the-building-together-are-severely-rusted Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

And the paint on the walls is slowly but surely peeling away.

and-the-paint-on-the-walls-is-slowly-but-surely-peeling-away Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

On the ground floor, Mirebs grabbed some incredible shots of the underbelly of the shuttles, which are lined with black tiles that act as a protective heat shield.

on-the-ground-floor-mirebs-grabbed-some-incredible-shots-of-the-underbelly-of-the-shuttles-which-are-lined-with-black-tiles-that-act-as-a-protective-heat-shield Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

When any spacecraft re-enters Earth’s atmosphere it gets incredibly hot, approaching temperatures of over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of this heat is due to friction between it and molecules in the atmosphere. The heat shield is designed to withstand these temperatures and protect the spacecraft from completely falling apart.

when-any-spacecraft-re-enters-earths-atmosphere-it-gets-incredibly-hot-approaching-temperatures-of-over-3000-degrees-fahrenheit-most-of-this-heat-is-due-to-friction-between-it-and-molecules-in-the-atmosphere-the-h Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

The nose of the shuttles are also covered with these black tiles to protect the front of the spacecraft from overheating and roasting the passengers inside the cockpit.

the-nose-of-the-shuttles-are-also-covered-with-these-black-tiles-to-protect-the-front-of-the-spacecraft-from-overheating-and-roasting-the-passengers-inside-the-cockpit Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Here’s a peek at the inside of one of the cockpits, designed for pilots who never flew it.

heres-a-peek-at-the-inside-of-one-of-the-cockpits-designed-for-pilots-who-never-flew-it Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Igor Volk, who today is a retired cosmonaut, was supposed to be commander of the first manned Buran flight.

igor-volk-who-today-is-a-retired-cosmonaut-was-supposed-to-be-commander-of-the-first-manned-buran-flight Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Here’s a portal connecting the cockpit to the back of the shuttle, which is pitch black inside because the only windows are in the cockpit.

heres-a-portal-connecting-the-cockpit-to-the-back-of-the-shuttle-which-is-pitch-black-inside-because-the-only-windows-are-in-the-cockpit Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Mirebs had to light up the inside of the back of the shuttle to take this amazing shot. This interior is remarkably similar to the interior of NASA’s space shuttles.

mirebs-had-to-light-up-the-inside-of-the-back-of-the-shuttle-to-take-this-amazing-shot-this-interior-is-remarkably-similar-to-the-interior-of-nasas-space-shuttles Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Here’s another look at some of the interior mechanics of the shuttles. It looks like there are some shelves on the left that might have been used by cosmonauts to store food.

heres-another-look-at-some-of-the-interior-mechanics-of-the-shuttles-it-looks-like-there-are-some-shelves-on-the-left-that-might-have-been-used-by-cosmonauts-to-store-food Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Piled scraps of machinery were simply abandoned in this room:

piled-scraps-of-machinery-were-simply-abandoned-in-this-room Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

The Soviet government were initially considering some of their top space scientists to head the Buran program, but in the end command fell to Col. General Alexander Maksimov, who ran the military space and missile programs.

the-soviet-government-were-initially-considering-some-of-their-top-space-scientists-to-head-the-buran-program-but-in-the-end-command-fell-to-col-general-alexander-maksimov-who-ran-the-military-space-and-missile-pr Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

Russia launched their Buran program in 1974 in response to NASA’s space shuttle program. One of the main goals of the program was to send the first woman in history on a spacewalk.

russia-launched-their-buran-program-in-1974-in-response-to-nasas-space-shuttle-program-one-of-the-main-goals-of-the-program-was-to-send-the-first-woman-in-history-on-a-spacewalk Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

They actually succeeded four years before even launching their Buran shuttle. In 1984, Svetlana Yevgenyevna Savitskaya became the first woman to complete a spacewalk and the second woman ever in space.

they-actually-succeeded-four-years-before-even-launching-their-buran-shuttle-in-1984-svetlana-yevgenyevna-savitskaya-became-the-first-woman-to-complete-a-spacewalk-and-the-second-woman-ever-in-space Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

One piece of the shuttles that still seems to be in relatively good condition is its propulsion systems in the back.

one-piece-of-the-shuttles-that-still-seems-to-be-in-relatively-good-condition-is-its-propulsion-systems-in-the-back (1) Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

These engines were designed to fly the shuttle once it reached space. They weren’t nearly powerful enough to get the vehicles to space.

these-engines-were-designed-to-fly-the-shuttle-once-it-reached-space-they-werent-nearly-powerful-enough-to-get-the-vehicles-to-space Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

On his blog, Mirebs asks “Why spend billions on … space, if it does not bring profit for the foreseeable future?” Much of Mirebs’s photography documents Russia’s industrial decline after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

on-his-blog-mirebs-asks-why-spend-billions-on--space-if-it-does-not-bring-profit-for-the-foreseeable-future-much-of-mirebss-photography-documents-russias-industrial-decline-after-the-dissolution-of-the-ussr-in-199 Ralph Mirebs Ralph Mirebs

- Jessica Orwig

Look: Inside the abandoned rocket bases dotted across the United States >

Read: The final approach to Pluto – We live in very exciting times for space exploration >

More: A decade of observing Earth from space has given us these breathtaking views >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Learn More Support The Journal

Published with permission from

Business Insider

View 42 comments

Send Tip or Correction

42 Comments

Johnnathan Biskalero 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Johnnathan Biskalero

Favourite Johnnathan Biskalero

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:12 PM

“We wont leave the euro ” the biggest mistake Cyprus will ever make…….we are all involved in the biggest scam the world has ever seen. People are still sucking it up, we are in dark times and alot worse to come , it is too late for talking all this will end in very bad violence i am afraid. Sorry to burst some fluffy bubbles but this is going to happen.

Mick Curtin 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Mick Curtin

Favourite Mick Curtin

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:08 PM

Get out Cypress – escape the EuroChoke!

Tony Skillington 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Tony Skillington

Favourite Tony Skillington

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:16 PM

Another fire put out…..just waiting for the next one.

Revolting Peasant 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Revolting Peasant

Favourite Revolting Peasant

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:10 PM

they would not accept the harsh terms and got a better offer, so sf were right

Conor 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Conor

Favourite Conor

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:19 PM

What better offer? It’s worse

Kevin Shaw 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Kevin Shaw

Favourite Kevin Shaw

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:25 PM

It’s considerably worse. I think the increase in their corporate tax rate that they agreed ti would work particularly well here. Intel, the Pharamceuticals…basically all the multi-nationals would just love that.

See 13 more replies ▾

Johnnathan Biskalero 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Johnnathan Biskalero

Favourite Johnnathan Biskalero

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:33 PM

There are not better offers, this EU project is a scam and history will tell the tale when we are all long gone !!!

Conor 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Conor

Favourite Conor

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:36 PM

Let alone the loss of over a weeks economic activity, approximately a 2% drop in GDP automatically compounded by a declining economy where the banking system is seen as being unsafe.

Revolting Peasant 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Revolting Peasant

Favourite Revolting Peasant

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:46 PM

did they take the bailout in june when they were offered? no, did they tax the savings under 100k? no, they got a better offer, keep up the delusion lads

Conor 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Conor

Favourite Conor

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:49 PM

Peasant you’re absolutely delusional yourself. Keep drinking the coolade prescribed by your miseducated mates at the school of conspiracy and woe is me.

Little Jim 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Little Jim

Favourite Little Jim

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 4:08 PM

They’re stuck in the scam.
They did the right thing and got a good deal for the vast majority.
Trust funds and shares will suffer but who cares really.

Fiachra Maolmordha Ó Raghallaigh 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Fiachra Maolmordha Ó Raghallaigh

Favourite Fiachra Maolmordha Ó Raghallaigh

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 4:22 PM

Anastiades himself proposed taxing deposits under 100k – not Germany, not France, not Brussels not the Troika. He wanted to keep his buddies in Moscow happy at the expense of his own people.

This is a typical case of a politician backing something in Brussels only to blame it on “Merkel and the Brussels Bureaucrats” once he gets off the plane back home.

Kevin Shaw 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Kevin Shaw

Favourite Kevin Shaw

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 4:40 PM

Peasant. Please. Educate yourself before posting. I cringe when I read your uniformed nonsense. It was the Cypriot Govt that wanted to tax deposits below the €100k mark- they wanted to protect their Russian friends.

Kevin Shaw 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Kevin Shaw

Favourite Kevin Shaw

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 4:41 PM

Sorry Fiachra. Should have read your comment!

Revolting Peasant 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Revolting Peasant

Favourite Revolting Peasant

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 5:25 PM

The only reason we are in a better position is because we aren’t still in free-fall. This has nothing whatsoever to do with fg or eurozone policy. There was always going to be a halt once the critical number of businesses had shut and economic migrants had emigrated. If we were back in the position we were in in 2010 I wonder would you be saying the same thing. Cyprus did not take the deal in June because of the punitive terms, try reading the thread with the blinkers off for once shaw. At least they have the cojones to refuse something because they judge the terms too harsh, not like our grovelling lapdogs.

Conor 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Conor

Favourite Conor

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 7:16 PM

Peasant, I have a book for you if you want to read it, we used it in first year in college.

“Economics 6th Edition, by Parkin, Powell & Matthews”

“Reflecting the changing world around us, ‘Economics’ brings the subject to life, helping the student separate the wood from the trees in the economic landscape”.

I agree with the foreword, it really would help you separate the wood from the trees and perhaps help you add factual credence to your misinformed, populist and quite frankly untrue rants?

censored 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute censored

Favourite censored

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 8:27 PM

I am always amused when the FG forces of righteousness play the “populist” card.

Do you know what that word means?

Conor 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Conor

Favourite Conor

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 9:06 PM

I think it’s funny how the keyboard warriors of miseducation, claim logic and reason based in empirical fact as having an agenda tied to a political agenda.

Just because it doesn’t suit your agenda doesn’t mean it’s not true. I have no allegiance to any political party, they’re all a shower of w@nkers FYI.

Padraic O'Dwyer 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Padraic O'Dwyer

Favourite Padraic O'Dwyer

Report

Mar 30th 2013, 5:53 AM

. A recent publication from two German finance experts Matthias Weik & Mark Friedrich “Der Gröste raubzug der Geschichte” ( The biggest robbery in history ) describes the ongoing rapid transference of wealth from the bottom up to a small elite, in chilling detail. All based on facts. I dont know if its available in English yet

ISBN 978-3-8288-2949-7
382 Seiten, Paperback
Tectum Verlag Amazon 19 Eur.

Chris Smith 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Chris Smith

Favourite Chris Smith

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:44 PM

Of course those who could, withdrew their money in the branches that were open in London & Birmingham
and Moscow and the Cypriots on the Island were left to carry the can. Thats EU justice.

Kevin Shaw 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Kevin Shaw

Favourite Kevin Shaw

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:22 PM

If only Sinn Fein were in Government. We too could be like Cyprus!!!

Leslie Alan Rock 13y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Leslie Alan Rock

Favourite Leslie Alan Rock

Report

Mar 29th 2013, 3:22 PM

And i got paid a lot of money to put my country through this…Im merkels new lapdog

Padraic O'Dwyer 12y

Install the app to use these features.

Mute Padraic O'Dwyer

Favourite Padraic O'Dwyer

Report

Mar 30th 2013, 6:22 AM

They state among other things that Frankfurt has now surpased London with regards to Casino banking. Perhaps Cyprus was offering too much competition ?

Defamation

Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech

An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic

An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language

Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Spam

Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Other