OK-GLI

Buran Test Vehicle

Mission Profile

OK-GLI (Buran Test Vehicle) was a dedicated aerodynamic test aircraft version of the Soviet Buran space shuttle, fitted with four AL-31 turbofan engines to allow autonomous powered take-off for approach-and-landing tests, conducting 24 successful test flights between 1985 and 1988 at Zhukovskiy airfield. Unlike the US Enterprise shuttle test vehicle which was air-launched from a 747, OK-GLI could take off under its own power, fly to altitude, and then execute simulated shuttle approach and landing maneuvers to validate Buran's unpowered glide characteristics and automatic landing systems. The OK-GLI flights directly enabled Buran's first orbital mission in November 1988 to land autonomously and precisely on the runway despite never having flown in space before. The aircraft survives today and is on display at the Technik Museum Speyer in Germany.