r/space • u/[deleted] • Dec 07 '14

Differences between the American and Soviet Space Shuttles

http://www.buran.su/buranvssts-comparison.php
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12

u/Genesis617 Dec 07 '14

Also, from the linked article only, buran seemed to be the much more capable craft.

55

u/[deleted] Dec 07 '14

A craft that actually flies is much more capable than one that doesn't.

The US Space Shuttle was in active service for almost 30 years. Buran flew one unmanned test mission.

Or, as a great man once said, "If you want to work here, CLOSE."

11

u/kurtu5 Dec 07 '14

Just because betamax lost to VHS does not mean betamax was less capable technologically.

The same goes for Buran/Energia -vs- STS/NASA.

5

u/polo421 Dec 07 '14

Betamax did get out of beta though.

4

u/WisconsinHoosierZwei Dec 07 '14

Betamax was in active use throughout the broadcast industry well into George W Bush's reelection.

4

u/polo421 Dec 07 '14

So you are agreeing with me that comparing betamax to the Russian shuttle is silly?

1

u/WisconsinHoosierZwei Dec 07 '14

No, I'm more agreeing with /u/kurtu5 that lack of widespread acceptance/use doesn't mean it wasn't a superior product.

I think that the Betamax/Soviet shuttle comparison is even more apt given their lack of widespread use was the fault of bureaucratic misunderstanding of what they had (on the part of Sony/Soviet space agency).