SiberianTiger
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Not really news, just found these great detail pictures in a blog post at http://drugoi.livejournal.com/3259344.html
They were taken by a traveler on October 1st, 2009, the next day after TMA-16 launch.
Hotlinking them here, providing my own translation.
Assembly building of Energia-Buran complex in the area 112. On May 12, 2002 the roof collapsed due to careless handing an oxygen bottle during repairs, killing 8 people, and destroying Energia launcher and the only original Buran that went to space. Everything is left as after the accident, except for space hardware remnants that were sold for scrap. Nobody needs the building anymore. Another building standing up to it houses a functional vehicle processing facility owned by Energia firm.
Near the gateway of the destroyed assembly building are two colossus scale transporters, that delivered the rocket and the shuttle to the launch site. Each device weighs 2750 tonnes. Each transporter was pulled along the special parallel railway tracks by two unique ZMU62P railway engines. Perhaps, thousands years after our time, future archaeologists will not be able to figure out why people in the 20th century would need these monsters in the desert.
The nature is already taking over: the square in front of the building is grown over by weeds pushing through gaps between concrete slabs.
The assembly building gateway is on the left. The transporter device moved in there, and was loaded with the Energia-Buran stack. With that on its back, it then traveled to the launch complex. There are two transporters: it was assumed Burans would fly every month, or even more often.
Now this place is surrounded with a rusty barbed wire. Inside the transporters, wild dogs live. They feed on swill from the nearby Energia's cantina.
Looking behind where the transporter tracks disappear in the distance. The tall building seen on horizon is the vibration test facility which could house the entire LV stack.
Traveling from the assembly building to the launch complexes takes a long time. The road goes along the same rail tracks Buran-Energia rode by.
The launch complex Buran lifted off from to its only space trip. There's nobody there now: it's mothballed and guarded by the cosmodrome's security service. They are trying hard to guard everything what's still left. The territory of Baikonur is vast and in the past years, many locals coming from the stepped raided it, scavenging anything they'd find useful or what could be sold.
The twin launch complex for Energia-Buran. It's abandoned completely and appears not even finished. In total, 4 such complexes should be built, but the last one, 4th, have just been initiated construction on when the program was canceled. It's easy to recognize Buran LC's by the emergency evacuation tubes which Buran cosmonauts would use to 'slide' away from a danger. Oblique elevator would deliver them to the spaceship.
This is where Buran launched from.
Looking at the two Buran launch complexes from a distance.
We then moved to the site of the 1st launch of Energia LV, to the area 250a. This concrete panel pictures launching Energia stacked with imitator of a laser battle space platform Polyus. This Polyus has never made it to orbit due to boost engine failure and sank in the Pacific Ocean.
Along the road a gallery housing LC's communications and pipelines was stretched. The entire Enegria-Buran program had military purpose, and it was the Army people who were engaged in the tests and launches. This is why the slogans are like this: "Our watch is for Motherland and Party"...
Or this: "We fought for peace, and we will protect peace".
A side view of the UKSS (Universal Test and Launch Complex) in area 250a. This is where Energia first launched from on May 15, 1987.
to be continued...
They were taken by a traveler on October 1st, 2009, the next day after TMA-16 launch.
Hotlinking them here, providing my own translation.
Assembly building of Energia-Buran complex in the area 112. On May 12, 2002 the roof collapsed due to careless handing an oxygen bottle during repairs, killing 8 people, and destroying Energia launcher and the only original Buran that went to space. Everything is left as after the accident, except for space hardware remnants that were sold for scrap. Nobody needs the building anymore. Another building standing up to it houses a functional vehicle processing facility owned by Energia firm.
Near the gateway of the destroyed assembly building are two colossus scale transporters, that delivered the rocket and the shuttle to the launch site. Each device weighs 2750 tonnes. Each transporter was pulled along the special parallel railway tracks by two unique ZMU62P railway engines. Perhaps, thousands years after our time, future archaeologists will not be able to figure out why people in the 20th century would need these monsters in the desert.
The nature is already taking over: the square in front of the building is grown over by weeds pushing through gaps between concrete slabs.
The assembly building gateway is on the left. The transporter device moved in there, and was loaded with the Energia-Buran stack. With that on its back, it then traveled to the launch complex. There are two transporters: it was assumed Burans would fly every month, or even more often.
Now this place is surrounded with a rusty barbed wire. Inside the transporters, wild dogs live. They feed on swill from the nearby Energia's cantina.
Looking behind where the transporter tracks disappear in the distance. The tall building seen on horizon is the vibration test facility which could house the entire LV stack.
Traveling from the assembly building to the launch complexes takes a long time. The road goes along the same rail tracks Buran-Energia rode by.
The launch complex Buran lifted off from to its only space trip. There's nobody there now: it's mothballed and guarded by the cosmodrome's security service. They are trying hard to guard everything what's still left. The territory of Baikonur is vast and in the past years, many locals coming from the stepped raided it, scavenging anything they'd find useful or what could be sold.
The twin launch complex for Energia-Buran. It's abandoned completely and appears not even finished. In total, 4 such complexes should be built, but the last one, 4th, have just been initiated construction on when the program was canceled. It's easy to recognize Buran LC's by the emergency evacuation tubes which Buran cosmonauts would use to 'slide' away from a danger. Oblique elevator would deliver them to the spaceship.
This is where Buran launched from.
Looking at the two Buran launch complexes from a distance.
We then moved to the site of the 1st launch of Energia LV, to the area 250a. This concrete panel pictures launching Energia stacked with imitator of a laser battle space platform Polyus. This Polyus has never made it to orbit due to boost engine failure and sank in the Pacific Ocean.
Along the road a gallery housing LC's communications and pipelines was stretched. The entire Enegria-Buran program had military purpose, and it was the Army people who were engaged in the tests and launches. This is why the slogans are like this: "Our watch is for Motherland and Party"...
Or this: "We fought for peace, and we will protect peace".
A side view of the UKSS (Universal Test and Launch Complex) in area 250a. This is where Energia first launched from on May 15, 1987.
to be continued...
