3K

Airframe no.: 2.01

Energia designation: 3K

The first second series orbiter and the third flight orbiter of the program. Construction began in the mid-80s and stopped in 1993 at about 30–50% readiness.

As the first second series orbiter, 3K received a number of improvements over the first series of orbiters. The first four inboard RCC segments on each wing were replaced by aluminium panels covered with silica tiles. The TPS tile pattern received some tweaks and most of the white silica tiles on the tailfin were replaced by reusable felt insulation blankets. This would have reduced the cost of processing the orbiter between flights slightly. The kinematics of the landing gear were improved to reduce the load on the airframe during landing and a “shield” was added that would stop tiny rocks kicked up by the tires on touchdown from hitting the brittle silica tiles (the phenomenon was observed after the first orbital flight). The number of joints in the construction of the airframe was reduced and some materials were changed. Most notably, the cabin’s aft bulkhead was replaced with a single forging and the composite spars running along the payload bay were replaced with solid titanium forgings 18 metres long. The elevons received retractable spoilers and the body flap surface area was increased. Many of the metal access hatches were replaced with composite versions and the parachute compartment was redesigned to occupy a smaller volume.

Press enter or click to view image in full size

Orbiter 3K in one of the assembly stands at the TMZ. Image: NPO Molniya via Mnogorazovaya kosmicheskaya sistema “Energiya-Buran”, 2004 3K never made it to Baikonur; it was still being manufactured at the TMZ when work on the program stopped. The airframe was fully assembled and the majority of silica tiles were installed on the orbiter, but most of the equipment was missing and the airframe was effectively an empty shell. TASS photos from 1992 show the fuselage without the cabin pressure vessel in one of the assembly bays at the TMZ, later photos show that it was installed thereafter.

Press enter or click to view image in full size 3K as photographed by TASS without the cabin in place in 1993 (left), and by Alexei Mikheev while in storage in 2000 (right), via buran.ru. After the program was canceled, 3K’s wings and vertical stabilizers were removed and the partially disassembled orbiter was placed in a storage hall at TMZ, where, later in the decade, other products manufactured by the factory, such as syringes, were packaged and readied for export.

Press enter or click to view image in full size Press enter or click to view image in full size 3K in storage at the TMZ with export products stored next to the orbiter. Images: Russia-1 (left), buran.ru/Alexei Mikheev 2000 (right) In May 2004, around the time when Technik Museum Sinsheim was trying to acquire the OK-GLI atmospheric test flight orbiter, the museum reportedly entered another contract with NPO Molniya, this time wanting to purchase orbiter 2.01, or 3K. The price was set at $270,000, to be paid in three installments: the first $15,000 was a down payment to be wired within 5 days of signing the contract, $75.000 was to be paid when the orbiter was put on the barge to be transported from the TMZ, and the rest on arrival in St Petersburg. By October 2004 the down payment had been wired and 3K was moved to a pier at the Khimki reservoir, the same one from which all previous Buran orbiters departed on their way to Baikonur or testing facilities. Photos were taken and sent to Technik Museum Sinsheim as proof of the operation, but any efforts to actually transport the orbiter ceased and it remained at the pier.

Press enter or click to view image in full size Press enter or click to view image in full size Photo sent to TM Sinsheim of 3K on the pier in 2004 via buran.ru (left), orbiter 3K at the pier in 2011 via buran.ru. Meanwhile, the two Molniya directors responsible for the sale found themselves in an increasingly unstable position at their company and in 2006 were eventually terminated. But just days before that happened, a prepared sales agreement was retrieved from a safe and orbiter 3K was sold to SIA International Ltd for $120,000. The two directors reappeared on NPO Molniya’s board shortly after, leading its subsidiary, the TMZ, which is where the Buran orbiters were manufactured. One of the directors was also the general director of the newly founded Tushino Corporation, the majority shareholder of which was SIA International Ltd, along with NPO Molniya and the TMZ as minority shareholders.

3K stayed at the pier until 2011, when an agreement was reached between SIA International’s owner Igor Rudinsky and the head of the “Rostekhnologia” State Corporation Sergei Chemezov to transport the orbiter to Zhukovsky, restore it, and display it during MAKS-2011. During the 7 years it spent outside, dozens of silica tiles were torn off and sold on eBay. The crew access hatch was unbolted and sold to a collector in the United States by a group of space hardware dealers in an effort to make some money off the orbiter they’ve been asked to sell.

Press enter or click to view image in full size Press enter or click to view image in full size Orbiter 3K on a barge (left) and the missing crew access hatch (right). Images: buran.ru. In June 2011, 3K was finally put on a barge and floated to Zhukovsky. In an attempt to make the unfinished orbiter resemble the flight-proven 1K vehicle, the airframe skin and whatever thermal protection was attached to it were covered with a fresh coat of paint, applied with a paint roller by a cigarette-wielding man in shorts, but only on the side facing the visitors. The missing rudder-airbrake panels were replaced with plywood facsimiles while the distinctive red “Remove Before Flight” window covers were left in place over the empty apertures but received a TikTok-home-renovation-worthy anthracite makeover.

Press enter or click to view image in full size Press enter or click to view image in full size “Restored” 3K at Zhukovsky. Images: Ivan Kirillov via buran-energia.com (left), buran-energia.com (right) After a decade at Zhukovsky, during which it was displayed at MAKS-2013, in 2021 orbiter 3K was purchased by Vadim Zadorozhny, the owner of the eponymous Museum of Technology with the intent to properly restore it, although a decision on the final exhibition spot for the orbiter was to be made after the restoration, which was due to start in late 2022. In early 2022 was spotted on its way to the museum and was later assembled at the Medyn site.

In July 2024 rumors began circulating that 2.01 will be moved to a different location and the orbiter was spotted on a barge heading to the UMMC Museum Complex of Military and Civil Equipment in Verkhnyaya Pyshma.

In August 2024 footage and photos appeared of the orbiter’s arrival at the UMMC and the museum’s director was quoted as saying that they plan to restore 3K and display it in a specially-built pavilion. It is unclear if the ownership was transferred. [19]

Press enter or click to view image in full size Press enter or click to view image in full size 3K at the Vadim Zadorozhny Myseum of Technology (left) via Vadim Zadorozhny Myseum of Technology. Orbiter 3K arriving at the UMMC (right) via rg.ru.