Ptichka (spacecraft)

Shuttle 1.02 "Ptichka"
Russian: Птичка
Country  Soviet Union Kazakhstan Russia
Named after little bird
Status 95-97% complete, property of Kazakhstan-Russia Joint Venture Company Aelita, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in the MZK Building.[1]
Time spent in space Never flew in space

Ptichka (Russian: Пти́чка, IPA: [ˈptʲitɕkə], Little Bird) is an informal nickname for the second space shuttle to be produced as part of the Buran program. It was never officially named. It is also known as Shuttle 1.02. It is distinguishable from the other shuttles by a red framework attached to the top of its cargo bay doors.

Ptichka was also an informal nickname for all of the space shuttle orbiters. However, the formal theme for the whole orbiter project was Buran, and Burya (Russian: Буря, tempest) was mentioned as a likely name for the spacecraft.

Construction

Construction of the second orbiter started in 1988, and although the orbiter was closest to being completed of any of the Buran shuttles (after the Shuttle Buran), it was never finished. The program was officially canceled in 1993, at which point the shuttle was 95-97% complete.

Projected flights

Projected flights[2] as of 1989:

Changed in 1991:

Status

Ptichka is currently the property of Kazakhstan-Russia Joint Venture Company Aelita, a subsidiary of RKK Energia, and is stored in the MZK building at Baikonur Cosmodrome.[1] Location: 45°56′25.6″N 63°19′6.3″E / 45.940444°N 63.318417°E.

References

External links