In the 1980s, a little-known chapter in the space race took place when the Soviet Union attempted to build their own version of Nasa’s Space Shuttle.

The Buran orbital tests were successful, but the Buran cars were quickly scrapped due to rising budget cuts. They were left in hangars.

One of the Soviet shuttles was destroyed when its hangar collapsed in 2002, but two other models remain intact and have been pictured in a stunning series of photographs by Sergei Savostyanov as part of a visit to the complex by the Sergei Krikalev, director of manned space programmes for Russian space agency Roscosmos.

These photographs show an enormous hangar that was once the hub of activity, but is now left abandoned. This large hangar can be found near Baikonur Cosmodrome. Today Soyuz rockets are still launched from it.

The hangar is home to two unused Buran space shuttles named Burya (or OK-MT) at its base. 

Their similarity in appearance to Nasa’s Space Shuttles is not accidental – at the time, this was deemed to be the best way to create a vehicle that could travel to and from orbit, although some have also suggested espionage was at play.

Buran’s shuttle would have been launched using the enormous Energia booster. It was similar to those used for the Space Shuttle orbiters.

The Buran vehicle was similar to the Space Shuttles. It had an engine at its back and wings that could be controlled for landing on Earth.

Their similarity in appearance to Nasa’s Space Shuttles is not accidental - at the time, this was deemed to be the best way to create a vehicle that could travel to and from orbit

Their similarity in appearance to Nasa’s Space Shuttles is not accidental – at the time, this was deemed to be the best way to create a vehicle that could travel to and from orbit

The Buran shuttle was intended to be launched on the huge Energia booster, similar to the giant booster rockets used by the Space Shuttle orbiters

Buran was originally intended to be launched from the enormous Energia booster. It is similar to the massive booster rockets that were used to launch the Space Shuttle orbiters.

Development of the programme began in 1976, with the reusable spacecraft (although the booster was not) capable of performing operations in orbit before returning to Earth

The programme was developed in 1976 with the launch of the first reusable spacecraft, although the booster wasn’t. It could perform operations in orbit before coming back to Earth.

These two shuttles in particular were simply left in the MKZ building at Baikonur Cosmodrome, with their basic structure still intact

This particular pair of shuttles was left unmodified in Baikonur Cosmodrome’s MKZ Building.

In 1976, the program was initiated with the development of a reusable spacecraft that could carry out operations in orbit and return to Earth.

After the first unmanned spaceflight of 1988, however, the program was abandoned following the collapse of the USSR. The programme ended in 1993.

However, there were many more models and test cars that were built. Some of these vehicles are still in existence today.

But these two shuttles in particular were simply left in the MKZ building at Baikonur Cosmodrome, with their basic structure still intact.

Roscosmos Executive Director for Manned Space Programmes Sergei Krikalev visited the Energia-Buran launch site

Sergei Krikalev was Roscosmos’ Executive Director for Manned Space Programmes. He visited the Energia–Buran Launch Site.

The Energia-Buran system launch facility for the Buran Soviet/Russian reusable space shuttle at Baikonur Cosmodrome

Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Energia-Buran launch site for the Buran Soviet/Russian reusable satellite spacecraft

Similarly to the Nasa space shuttles, the Soviet Buran shuttle was reliant on massive boosters in order to leave Earth's atmosphere

The Soviet Buran spacecraft was similar to those of Nasa. It relied heavily on boosters for its escape from Earth’s atmosphere.

The operations and checkout facility where the Buran Soviet/Russian reusable space shuttle was destroyed

Operations and check-in facility were the Buran Soviet/Russian Space Shuttle was demolished

The engines would have helped the shuttle maneuver into orbit by being located at the top of its fuselage. 

Mirebs looked inside the shuttles and found some missing equipment. However, the interiors still had their pilot seats, computers screens, and other essentials.

Also, the cargo area of the space shuttles is similar to Nasa Space Shuttles. There are two big doors that can be opened to allow satellites to go into orbit or to repair any damaged objects.

The interiors of the shuttles don’t look very good, and they appear full with junk. 

Despite the derelict nature of the hangar, though, the photographer says that he thinks that the programme had a ‘beneficial effect on the scientific and technical progress.’

He said, “Yes, they didn’t go beyond drawings and models. But, the ones that made it through the sieve and were able to get unlimited support received an unrestricted amount.”