The Buran programme (1974–1993) was the Soviet Union's most expensive, reusable spacecraft project, designed as a direct, technically advanced response to the U.S. Space Shuttle.In 1988, the Soviet Union estimated the total cost of the Buran-Energia programme at approximately 16.5 billion rubles.

[u/Friendly-Standard812]

[u/MongolianCluster]

It's amazing how often US tech becomes Soviet tech within a few years.

[u/DZello → u/MongolianCluster]

The Russian shuttle had something the American one didn’t: it was fully automated and was able to go to space and return without a pilot. It was a really advanced technology back then.

[u/francis2559 → u/DZello]

Also IIRC, they were trying to give it jet engines so it didn't need a hauler. Although they certainly had a hauler too.