Buran 1.02 in the Baikonur Hangar: where it is and why the project was shut down
The second orbital shuttle Buran 1.02 still exists. Let’s explore where it is now, what happened to it, and whether you can see it in person.
45.94046° N, 63.31841° E
Baikonur, Kazakhstan | MZK Assembly and Fueling Complex
Baikonur, Kazakhstan | MZK Assembly and Fueling Complex
History:
Second flight-ready vehicle in the Soviet space shuttle program
Second flight-ready vehicle in the Soviet space shuttle program
Fact:
Over 30 years inside the original hangar at Baikonur
Over 30 years inside the original hangar at Baikonur
Contents
“
If you're reading this, you're probably curious about what really remains of Buran. This page gathers verified facts, real details, and the story of shuttle 1.02 — still standing in its original hangar at Baikonur, Kazakhstan. We’ll walk through its design and assembly — and the reason why the launch never happened.
Why was the Buran program created?
To understand why a nearly complete spacecraft still stands inside a hangar at Baikonur, we need to go back to the very beginning.
This section explains why the Soviet Union launched its reusable space program — and how Buran 1.02 fit into it.
This section explains why the Soviet Union launched its reusable space program — and how Buran 1.02 fit into it.
A reusable space system: why the USSR built it
By the mid-1970s, the space race had intensified.
The United States had already launched its reusable Space Shuttle — a vehicle capable of returning to Earth, being repaired, and flying again.
In response, the Soviet Union began developing its next-generation system: Energia–Buran.
The core idea was strategic flexibility.
The orbital shuttle had to perform maneuvers, retrieve satellites, service equipment, and deliver payloads. Above all, it had to operate autonomously and precisely.
The project brought together hundreds of enterprises. From scratch, the USSR built hangars, runways, ground control facilities, a heavy-lift rocket, and the shuttles themselves.
This was not just a technical response — it was a political one as well.
The United States had already launched its reusable Space Shuttle — a vehicle capable of returning to Earth, being repaired, and flying again.
In response, the Soviet Union began developing its next-generation system: Energia–Buran.
The core idea was strategic flexibility.
The orbital shuttle had to perform maneuvers, retrieve satellites, service equipment, and deliver payloads. Above all, it had to operate autonomously and precisely.
The project brought together hundreds of enterprises. From scratch, the USSR built hangars, runways, ground control facilities, a heavy-lift rocket, and the shuttles themselves.
This was not just a technical response — it was a political one as well.
From the Energia–Buran program to Shuttle 1.02
The program was designed on a large scale. A whole series of orbital shuttles was planned. The first, Buran 1.01, went into space in 1988 and completed a fully automated landing. Shuttle 1.02 was being prepared as the next step.
It was built based on everything learned from that first flight — with improved electronics, new systems, and a redesigned structure. This time, the plan included a crewed mission.
We covered the full system, the 1.01 launch, and the history of the program in the article
Buran — The Soviet Shuttle Ahead of Its Time. This page focuses on Shuttle 1.02 — the one still standing inside the MZK hangar at Baikonur.
It was built based on everything learned from that first flight — with improved electronics, new systems, and a redesigned structure. This time, the plan included a crewed mission.
We covered the full system, the 1.01 launch, and the history of the program in the article
Buran — The Soviet Shuttle Ahead of Its Time. This page focuses on Shuttle 1.02 — the one still standing inside the MZK hangar at Baikonur.
Orbital Shuttle Buran 1.02: how it was different
Buran 1.02 was the second orbital vehicle in the program.
It continued the work of the flight-tested 1.01 and reflected the evolution of the entire system.
In this section, we explore why 1.02 was built — and what made it different from the first flying shuttle.
It continued the work of the flight-tested 1.01 and reflected the evolution of the entire system.
In this section, we explore why 1.02 was built — and what made it different from the first flying shuttle.
What was Buran 1.02 and what was it designed to do?
Buran 1.02 was built on the same technological foundation as the original craft, but with a new mission: real operational work as part of orbital infrastructure — not just testing.
Engineers were preparing for its first crewed flight. The internal layout was redesigned, life support was upgraded, and automation systems were improved. Special attention went to diagnostics and thermal protection.
By the time the program was halted, the shuttle was in its final prelaunch phase: the body was fully assembled, internal compartments were installed, and key systems had already passed early tests.
Only the final stand trials and launch clearance remained. Specialists estimated it was 95–97% complete.
Engineers were preparing for its first crewed flight. The internal layout was redesigned, life support was upgraded, and automation systems were improved. Special attention went to diagnostics and thermal protection.
By the time the program was halted, the shuttle was in its final prelaunch phase: the body was fully assembled, internal compartments were installed, and key systems had already passed early tests.
Only the final stand trials and launch clearance remained. Specialists estimated it was 95–97% complete.
How 1.02 was different from the flying Shuttle 1.01
Although both shuttles looked nearly identical, their differences were fundamental.
1.02 wasn’t a copy — it was an improved version built on everything learned from the 1988 flight.
Here’s how Buran 1.02 differed from Buran 1.01:
1.02 wasn’t a copy — it was an improved version built on everything learned from the 1988 flight.
Here’s how Buran 1.02 differed from Buran 1.01:
Feature
Buran 1.01
Buran 1.02
Purpose
Demo of autonomous flight
Crewed launch preparation
Readiness
100% (completed and flown)
95–97 %
Crew
Uncrewed
Planned crew of 2–4 people
Internal systems
Basic configuration
Enhanced life support and navigation
Thermal protection
Manually adjusted in places
Refined fit with new mounting system
Automation
Proven systems
Added self-diagnostics
Buran 1.02 was a culmination of everything the engineers had perfected after the first flight. It was intended for the next phase — regular missions with a crew. Today, it remains the only surviving shuttle in its original form.
Buran at Baikonur: where it is and what it looks like today
Buran 1.02 was a culmination of everything the engineers had perfected after the first flight. It was intended for the next phase — regular missions with a crew. Today, it remains the only surviving shuttle in its original form.
MZK hangar: how the complex was built and where the shuttle stands
The Assembly and Fueling Complex, or MZK, was built specifically for the Buran program. It stands 75 meters high, with overhead cranes capable of lifting up to 400 tons, rail-mounted platforms, power systems, and climate control. All of it was created for one purpose: to receive the heavy orbital vehicle, run final checks, and prepare it for launch.
This is the very building where Buran 1.02 still stands. It rests on its original launch platform, in the same position it was left in during the late 1980s. The hangar has never been rebuilt or repurposed — it was never turned into an exhibit. This is a rare case where the entire engineering environment remains almost exactly as it was when the program stopped.
This is the very building where Buran 1.02 still stands. It rests on its original launch platform, in the same position it was left in during the late 1980s. The hangar has never been rebuilt or repurposed — it was never turned into an exhibit. This is a rare case where the entire engineering environment remains almost exactly as it was when the program stopped.
What remains of Buran 1.02: inside the shuttle
The shuttle’s body is fully assembled. Compartments are sealed, the cockpit still has its multi-deck layout, and the cargo bay doors are the same as originally intended for orbital missions.
Signs of time are visible: dust, faded thermal tiles, and debris. Some tiles still show factory numbers, marked by hand. In some places, the skin is warped by age, but the overall structure has held up. Mounting systems, thermal tiles, and interior components — all of it is original.
Inside, Buran 1.02 feels like a chamber frozen in time. You can see late-1980s engineering: distributed automation, sealed control panels, manual wiring, and plug-in connections. This is not a reconstruction. It’s a real spacecraft — one that was supposed to reach orbit.
Signs of time are visible: dust, faded thermal tiles, and debris. Some tiles still show factory numbers, marked by hand. In some places, the skin is warped by age, but the overall structure has held up. Mounting systems, thermal tiles, and interior components — all of it is original.
Inside, Buran 1.02 feels like a chamber frozen in time. You can see late-1980s engineering: distributed automation, sealed control panels, manual wiring, and plug-in connections. This is not a reconstruction. It’s a real spacecraft — one that was supposed to reach orbit.
Why the Buran 1.02 never flew
Buran 1.02 came very close to launch. The hull was assembled, internal systems were installed, and the launch platform was positioned on rails inside the MZK hangar. This section explores what happened to the program when it was halted — and where the shuttle stood at that moment.
Shutting down the Buran program
After Buran 1.01’s successful flight in November 1988, the engineering teams felt a calm optimism: more launches were ahead. The second shuttle was nearly ready — going through its final calibrations and system checks. The infrastructure was still running: test flights continued, the hangar was active.
But things changed rapidly in the early 1990s. The USSR began to dissolve. Resources were scattered among new republics, supply chains broke down, and factories involved in shuttle production shut down. The tightly integrated system of hundreds of enterprises could no longer function as a single whole.
There was no official shutdown order — funding simply stopped. Deliveries slowed, teams shrank, and tests were delayed. By 1990, it became clear: a second flight was no longer realistic.
On May 25, 1993, the Council of Chief Designers at NPO Energia issued an official decision to close the program. But no government decree followed. The program didn’t end with a command — it quietly vanished from the agenda. That decision sealed the fate of Buran 1.02, which remained inside the hangar, unfinished but intact.
But things changed rapidly in the early 1990s. The USSR began to dissolve. Resources were scattered among new republics, supply chains broke down, and factories involved in shuttle production shut down. The tightly integrated system of hundreds of enterprises could no longer function as a single whole.
There was no official shutdown order — funding simply stopped. Deliveries slowed, teams shrank, and tests were delayed. By 1990, it became clear: a second flight was no longer realistic.
On May 25, 1993, the Council of Chief Designers at NPO Energia issued an official decision to close the program. But no government decree followed. The program didn’t end with a command — it quietly vanished from the agenda. That decision sealed the fate of Buran 1.02, which remained inside the hangar, unfinished but intact.
What was done — and what was missing for launch
According to experts, Buran 1.02 was 95–97% complete when the project was stopped.
The body was fully assembled, the cockpit was sealed, and the cargo bay was installed.
Life support, power supply, and automation systems were already in place and undergoing configuration.
Some of the key steps before launch had already been completed:
But the final launch-critical phases had not yet been completed:
The body was fully assembled, the cockpit was sealed, and the cargo bay was installed.
Life support, power supply, and automation systems were already in place and undergoing configuration.
Some of the key steps before launch had already been completed:
- Pressure integrity testing of compartments
- Basic installation of communication and navigation modules
- Setup and testing of the distributed electrical system
- Initial tuning of climate and auxiliary systems
But the final launch-critical phases had not yet been completed:
- Full stand-based testing
- Integration with the launch platform
- Finalization of onboard software
- Post-upgrade thermal protection trials
- Pre-launch procedures
Phase
Status in 1990
Ground stand testing
Partially completed, not finalized
Integration with launch systems
Not started
Automation software development
In adaptation
Thermal protection re-testing
Postponed
Pre-launch procedures
Not performed
The main barrier was the breakdown in logistics: components came from various regions, and some key factories ended up in new countries.
As a result, Buran 1.02 was complete in design but trapped in a closed loop. Fully built, but never tested. It remains the only structurally finished Buran shuttle still in existence.
As a result, Buran 1.02 was complete in design but trapped in a closed loop. Fully built, but never tested. It remains the only structurally finished Buran shuttle still in existence.
How to see Buran 1.02: tours and access rules
The Buran 1.02 shuttle remains inside a secured hangar — a space where, for decades, only engineers were allowed. Today, however, it’s possible to visit — but only through a regulated route. This section explains how these visits work, who’s allowed inside, and what the tour includes.
Guided tour to the MZK hangar: who can visit and how?
Until 2023, the MZK hangar was completely off-limits, even to researchers. It remained a classified facility, accessible only to specialists involved in technical inspections. Now, access is officially possible — as part of an organized group on a pre-approved itinerary.
Photosafari Travel conducts guided tours to Baikonur that include access to the MZK hangar and the Buran 1.02 shuttle. The route passes through the active territory of the cosmodrome, following all required procedures and accompanied by a licensed guide.
Photosafari Travel conducts guided tours to Baikonur that include access to the MZK hangar and the Buran 1.02 shuttle. The route passes through the active territory of the cosmodrome, following all required procedures and accompanied by a licensed guide.
Before the trip, a security clearance must be issued:
- Kazakhstan and Russian citizens: apply at least 20 days in advance
- Foreign citizens: apply at least 35 days in advance
What visitors will see: route, rules, and restrictions
The hangar visit follows an authorized route.
The group enters through a technical gate, completes a safety and conduct briefing, and receives official access clearance.
Inside, you will see:
This creates a powerful sense of presence: you can see exactly where people worked, how equipment was installed, and how launches were planned.
Some zones remain closed to visitors — for example, the main control consoles and the cockpit inside the shuttle. Still, the tour allows you to fully experience the scale and detail up close.
The visit lasts about an hour, after which the group moves on to other parts of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Buran 1.02 remains the most atmospheric and memorable part of the trip.
This is not a replica or a reconstruction — it’s the real shuttle, once intended for space.
The group enters through a technical gate, completes a safety and conduct briefing, and receives official access clearance.
Inside, you will see:
- The Buran 1.02 shuttle, mounted on its original rail platform
- The technical operations control console
- The crane system and engineering overhead structures
- Original 1980s infrastructure — cables, power rails, and electrical systems
- The MZK’s climate control and monitoring units
This creates a powerful sense of presence: you can see exactly where people worked, how equipment was installed, and how launches were planned.
Some zones remain closed to visitors — for example, the main control consoles and the cockpit inside the shuttle. Still, the tour allows you to fully experience the scale and detail up close.
The visit lasts about an hour, after which the group moves on to other parts of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Buran 1.02 remains the most atmospheric and memorable part of the trip.
This is not a replica or a reconstruction — it’s the real shuttle, once intended for space.
What you might not know about Buran 1.02
Some aspects of the second Soviet shuttle still raise questions — from its name and legal ownership to whether it can be seen today. Here are some lesser-known facts that didn’t make it into the main article.
Yes — this is a confirmed fact.
Shuttle 1.02 was supposed to receive its own name: Burya (meaning “storm”).
This followed the established Soviet tradition: each orbital vehicle under the Energia–Buran program had a unique name used in official documents and onboard markings.
The name Burya appeared in blueprints, technical records, and assembly logs during the final construction stage.
However, since the shuttle never launched, the name was never physically painted onto the hull — it remained externally unmarked.
It’s important not to confuse Burya with the unofficial nickname Ptichka ("little bird"), which often appears in foreign publications.
That name was used informally by fans and insiders, but never in official documentation.
Shuttle 1.02 was supposed to receive its own name: Burya (meaning “storm”).
This followed the established Soviet tradition: each orbital vehicle under the Energia–Buran program had a unique name used in official documents and onboard markings.
The name Burya appeared in blueprints, technical records, and assembly logs during the final construction stage.
However, since the shuttle never launched, the name was never physically painted onto the hull — it remained externally unmarked.
It’s important not to confuse Burya with the unofficial nickname Ptichka ("little bird"), which often appears in foreign publications.
That name was used informally by fans and insiders, but never in official documentation.
This remains one of the most legally unclear aspects of the shuttle’s story.
Officially, Buran 1.02 is located on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, inside the MZK hangar at Baikonur.
But ownership is complicated by the fact that, after the collapse of the USSR, the hangar and its contents fell outside Russian jurisdiction.
Today, the shuttle is believed to be the property of a Kazakh government agency — some sources cite the national space authority.
However, in the 2000s, rights to the building and its contents were reportedly leased or transferred to a private entity, sparking public debate and expert concern.
The situation is further complicated by the lack of active preservation efforts by state authorities.
The shuttle has been accessed by urban explorers and graffiti artists, with public outcry erupting in 2021 after vandalism incidents inside the hangar.
Officially, Buran 1.02 is located on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, inside the MZK hangar at Baikonur.
But ownership is complicated by the fact that, after the collapse of the USSR, the hangar and its contents fell outside Russian jurisdiction.
Today, the shuttle is believed to be the property of a Kazakh government agency — some sources cite the national space authority.
However, in the 2000s, rights to the building and its contents were reportedly leased or transferred to a private entity, sparking public debate and expert concern.
The situation is further complicated by the lack of active preservation efforts by state authorities.
The shuttle has been accessed by urban explorers and graffiti artists, with public outcry erupting in 2021 after vandalism incidents inside the hangar.
Yes — but only as part of an organized group with official clearance.
Photosafari Travel (along with a few other operators) offers tours that include access to the MZK hangar and the Buran 1.02 shuttle.
Here’s how it works:
This makes Buran 1.02 the only surviving shuttle from the program that can be seen in its original form — in the very place it was prepared for launch.
Photosafari Travel (along with a few other operators) offers tours that include access to the MZK hangar and the Buran 1.02 shuttle.
Here’s how it works:
- Visitors must apply in advance: 20 days for Kazakh and Russian citizens, 35 days for foreigners
- The tour follows a licensed and restricted route in line with access regulations
- Inside the hangar, you can walk around the shuttle, view the hull up close, and examine parts of the interior
- Entry to the cockpit is not allowed, but external inspection is permitted
- Photography and video are allowed under certain conditions
This makes Buran 1.02 the only surviving shuttle from the program that can be seen in its original form — in the very place it was prepared for launch.
As of now, there are no official plans to restore or exhibit the shuttle.
Discussions have taken place — both among enthusiasts and professionals in Kazakhstan and Russia — but nothing has been formally initiated.
Challenges include:
After the loss of shuttle 1.01 (destroyed when a hangar collapsed in 2002), Buran 1.02 is the last remaining opportunity to preserve an authentic artifact from the Soviet space program. Historians and engineers have repeatedly urged authorities to protect it — but for now, everything remains in a state of inactivity and informal negotiation.
Discussions have taken place — both among enthusiasts and professionals in Kazakhstan and Russia — but nothing has been formally initiated.
Challenges include:
- The shuttle is located in Kazakhstan, but was built under a Soviet-era Russian program, and does not fall under Russian federal property
- Both the shuttle and the hangar are in deteriorating condition, and restoring them would be extremely expensive
- There have been concepts for a Baikonur space museum, but they remain at the level of private initiatives, without government funding or support
After the loss of shuttle 1.01 (destroyed when a hangar collapsed in 2002), Buran 1.02 is the last remaining opportunity to preserve an authentic artifact from the Soviet space program. Historians and engineers have repeatedly urged authorities to protect it — but for now, everything remains in a state of inactivity and informal negotiation.
Yes — and the impact was significant.
Many technologies developed under the Energia–Buran program were ahead of their time, and later found their way into other fields:
Many technologies developed under the Energia–Buran program were ahead of their time, and later found their way into other fields:
- CAD and digital design tools — implemented in Soviet mechanical engineering for the first time at this scale
- Thermal protection tiles — inspired future developments in aviation, energy, and industrial insulation systems
- Self-diagnostic automation — later used in autonomous systems in different industries
- Autonomous landing algorithms — anticipated concepts now used in reusable boosters, including those by SpaceX
Photos of Buran 1.02 inside the MZK hangar
These photographs were taken inside the Assembly and Fueling Complex (MZK) at Baikonur. This is the actual shuttle that was being prepared for launch. Everything is shown as it is — with dust, aging surfaces, and machinery frozen in time.
Did you like the article?
Articles and interesting facts
For Clients
Tours
© 2014–2025 "Photosafari-travel" All rights reserved
Copying website materials is allowed only with an active link to photosafari-travel.kz.
By using this website, you agree to the Terms of Use and the use of cookies.
By using this website, you agree to the Terms of Use and the use of cookies.