2.01 (Buran-class spacecraft)

2.01 (GRAU index serial number 11F35 3K) is the designation of the third Buran-class orbiter to be produced as part of the Soviet/Russian Buran programme. Its construction was not complete when the Buran programme was cancelled (30–50 percent done), so it remains unfinished.[1] It was never officially named.

2.01
2.01 in 2012
TypeBuran-class orbiter
CountrySoviet Union
Contract award1983
StatusUnfinished

Differences from Buran and Ptichka

The 2.01 is the first of a second series of Buran-class orbiters. Design has been improved using feedback from the earlier models of Buran-class shuttles, such as the flight of Buran and the construction of Ptichka.[1]

Major changes include:

  • Hull design optimized to save weight.
  • Thermal protection system arrangement changed.
  • Spoilers added to elevons.
  • OMS thrusters configuration changed.
  • Payload bay doors radiator design simplified.
  • Landing gear improved.
  • Drag chute container was reduced, since it turned out the surface area of the parachutes in the flight of Buran was overabundant.

After Challenger disaster it was decided to limit crew capacity of second series orbiters to four crew-members with ejection seats regularly mounted.[2]

Since none of second series orbiters were completed, only changes in thermal protection system and OMS thrusters arrangement can be visible on 2.01.

History
Body of 2.01 being towed by barge to Zhukovsky Airfield
Buran flight test Orbiter OK-2.01

Projected flights

It was projected in 1989 that orbiter 2.01 would have its first manned space test flight, 3K1, in 1994, with a duration of twenty-four hours. The craft would have been equipped with a life support system and two ejection seats. Crew would have consisted of two cosmonauts — Igor Volk (commander) and Aleksandr Ivanchenko (flight engineer).[3]

In 1991, construction of the orbiter was suspended, and in 1993, the Buran program was completely cancelled.

Post-retirement
Buran 2.01 in Gromov Flight Research Institute in process of restoration, 2011

After residing at the Tushino factory where it was constructed, it was incorrectly announced in 2006 that orbiter 2.01 would be put on display in the Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum, Germany. However, the German Museum had actually bought OK-GLI, the jet-powered Buran atmospheric test vehicle, which appeared on display in its own new hangar from September 2008.[1]

Since 2004 the orbiter 2.01 had been left under open sky on a car park in Moscow, near Khimki Reservoir.[4][5][6][7][8]

On 22 June 2011, during the day the orbiter was put on a barge[9] to be moved to the MAKS 2011 international air show, which took place from 16 to 21 August in Zhukovsky (Moscow region).[10] In the night of 22–23 June, it was seen on the Moskva River.[11][12] The orbiter was exposed at the show with one side restored.

In 2012, it was seen during the Russian Air Force 100th Anniversary Airshow in Zhukovsky.

It was expected that it would be restored in Zhukovsky and shown at the MAKS 2013 exhibition, but it never appeared at the exhibition. As of November 2013, it remained at the Zhukovsky International Airport (55°33′06″N 38°08′40″E).[13]

In July 2017, heat-tiles from orbiter 2.01 were listed online, leading some to believe that the orbiter had been scrapped or otherwise disassembled.[14] However, satellite imagery of Zhukovsky Airport taken in 2019 indicates that 2.01 still resides at the airfield, albeit now in a different location.[15]

See also

References
  1. "Shuttle Buran 2.01 current status". Retrieved 2006-08-05.
  2. http://www.buran.ru/galapago/NK2018-12_buran.pdf (in Russian)
  3. Экипажи "Бурана" Несбывшиеся планы. (in Russian). buran.ru. Retrieved 2006-08-05.
  4. "Where Do Shuttles Go?". English Russia. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  5. Moscow (1970-01-01). "moscow - Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  6. "Тушинский машиностроительный завод, на котором строился космический челнок "Буран", открестился от своего детища". 5-tv.ru. 2010-09-30. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  7. Автор: Дмитрий Мельников (2010-09-28). "Вести.Ru: "Буран" остался без крыльев и хвоста". Vesti.ru. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  8. "Photo". Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  9. http://www.buran-energia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5859100207_bacdfeb4f3.jpg
  10. "Buran-Energia Buran OK-2.01". Buran-energia.com. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  11. https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/bilder/buran102_v-grossgalerie16x9.jpg
  12. "7289 – Проект 942 — Водный транспорт". Fleetphoto.ru. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  13. Russian Space Agency VKK Buran 2.01: Photo dated 27 November 2013.
  14. "Buran Space Shuttle Shop - Buran's tile". www.buran-energia.com.
  15. "55°34'16.3"N 38°08'34.5"E". 55°34'16.3"N 38°08'34.5"E. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.