Nov 15 1988
From The Space Library
After several delays, the Soviet Union successfully completed an automated orbital flight test of the Space Shuttle Buran. The untended Soviet orbiter-which is almost identical in aerodynamic design and dimensions to the U.S. orbiters-was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Central Asia. Buran was powered by a 198-foot Energia rocket with two strap-on boosters in a configuration similar to that of the U.S. Space Shuttle. Unlike the Shuttle, however, the Soviet orbiter does not carry its own main engines, but relies almost entirely on the Energia's engines for ascent to orbit. According to Soviet sources, the Soviet shuttle can be equipped with jet engines to assist landing-a capability the U.S. Shuttles lack. After completing two orbits, Buran landed successfully on a 2.7-mile runway at the Baikonur facility, ending the 3-1/2 hour mission. The Tass News Agency hailed the Buran mission as a "major success" and as a prelude to crew-tended Shuttle flights. In Washington, NASA Administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher congratulated the Soviet Union. (FBIS-SOV- 88-222, Nov 17/88; SSR 1988 100A; AP, Nov 15/88; UPI, Nov 15/88; NY Times, Nov 16/88; WSJ, Nov 16/88; W Post, Nov 16/88; LA Times, Nov 15/88; W Times, Nov 16/88; B Sun, Nov 16/88; P Inq, Nov 16/88; C Trib, Nov 15/88)
In a major setback for the U.S. radio astronomy program, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's (NRAO) 300-foot radiotelescope in Greenbank, West Virginia, unexpectedly collapsed, completely destroying the metallic antenna dish. The instrument, built in 1962, was one of the most powerful radiotelescopes in the world and had been responsible for several important discoveries, e.g. pulsars. The cause of the collapse was not known, but was not believed to be related to wind or other atmospheric conditions. The NRAO Assistant Director George Seielsand noted that the telescope structure, originally designed for a dish diameter of 140-feet, had been expanded to a diameter of 300 feet without a corresponding increase in material strength. No decision was announced on whether funds would be sought for a replacement radiotelescope. (NY Times, Nov 17/88; W Post, Nov 17/88; B Sun, Nov 17/88)
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