Soviet spacecraft spotted in Russian streets: a heavy load indeed

Soviet spacecraft spotted in Russian streets: a heavy load indeed The footage of a peculiar cargo being transported in Russia’s Perm region has sparked a discussion online. Locals suggest that the machinery in question is none other than the Buran spacecraft from the 1980s. Buran (lit. Snowstorm) was designed to launch cargo and space crews into orbit, carry out military research, and meet national targets in economy, science and defense. It was part of the ambitious Soviet Buran space program for developing reusable spacecraft. The project involved over 1,000 companies across the country. The orbiter featured a unique automatic landing system, allowing for a fully automatic descent on approach and landing. The breakthrough feature was sought after, and later implemented, in spacecraft design for decades to come. Its debut uncrewed orbital flight in 1988 became its last, as the funding for the program eventually dried up. Five years later, the program was shut down altogether. Loc... Source: Sputnik International