OK-016

Airframe no.: 0.16

Energia designation: 16M?

Alternative designations: OK-016

Test article used for thermal vacuum strength testing in preparation for second series orbiter production.

Designation present on mid-fuselage assembly drawings and a 1987 MAP list of test articles, where it was “assigned” to TsAGI. It is unclear how much of 0.16 was ever manufactured and what happened to it later, but the airframe number and description on the MAP list suggests a similar role to article 0.06 or OK-TVI, therefore the airframe could have been produced in similar sections.

Press enter or click to view image in full size Press enter or click to view image in full size Left: Table of masses of the mid-fuselage section of the airframes of various orbiters. The airframe designation 0.16 visible in the third row from the bottom. via buran.ru/cherch.htm Right: MAP list of Buran test and flight articles. via mapsssr.ru Undated newsreel footage, likely from the late 90s/early 00s, shows the empty forward fuselage in an outdoor storage yard at the TMZ, with the tip of the nose broken off and missing many silica tiles. Segments belonging to 0.16 were most likely scrapped shortly after; the mid-fuselage (which could have been attached to the aft fuselage, as on 0.06) may have also been one of the aiframes referenced in a 1995 Moscow Times article on Molniya scrapping “two unfinished ships” that year.

Press enter or click to view image in full size Press enter or click to view image in full size Forward fuselage of a Buran orbiter, likely 0.16, outside the TMZ workshop. Images: Russia-1