Buran / Energia.

New high resolution photographs.

Energia booster stage in the factory.

Introduction

Today Roscosmos released previously unseen photographs and plans covering the Energia rocket, and Buran spaceplane. I’ve done a quick job enhancing them, to get something out today, the anniversary of Buran’s only flight.

All photos credit Roscosmos.

As usual, click for a larger image.

Photo 1, Energia Core Stage.

Business end of the Energia core stage, in the factory.

Photo 2, Energia core stage being lifted.

This shows the core stage being moved into the vertical position in the factory.

Photo 3, Core stage vertical

Vertical. Note the human figures for scale.

Photo 4, RD 11D122 Engine

A really nice photo of the engine!

Photo 5, Engineers at work

I think they are working on the area at the top of the main engine.

Photo 6, Loading onto the transporter.

I’m guessing, but this looks like a weight model to me, as used to test transportation.

Photo 7, Transporter close-up

I think another closeup of the transporter, presumably being adapted from its previous role carrying the N1.

Photo 8, Loaded “Grasshopper” on the move.

A bit soft focus, but the trains look nice!

Photo 9, side view of the transporter.

Photo 10, rear view of the transporter.

Again, note the human figures for scale, to the right.

Photo 11, upright at the launch position.

Some elements of the launch facility were adapted from the N-1.

Enclosed at the launch position

And finally with the walkways in place, for engineers to access the rocket.

This editions Cool Image:

From the same tranche of releases, I’ve cleaned up a lovely diagram of the Energia, with stats and dimensions. I will be producing an English language version of this.

Large diagram of the Energia Launcher.

This editions Cool Link:

Accura Space Models have produced a beautifully detailed model of Nk-33 Rocket Engine that was designed for the mighty N1 rocket. Personally I hate modelling rocket engines, so many fiddly little pipes, and it’s really hard to work out where everything goes.

But this is how it should be done, (no, I’m not on commission!). Click the image to visit their site.

That’s all folks!