# OK-GLI

> aerodynamic testbed aircraft in the Buran programme for the orbiter prototype atmospheric testing

**Wikidata**: [Q701696](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q701696)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK-GLI)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ok-gli

## Summary
OK-GLI was an aerodynamic testbed aircraft used in the Soviet Buran program to test the atmospheric flight characteristics of the Buran-class orbiter. It was a reusable, jet-powered prototype that performed 30 flights between 1985 and 1989, playing a critical role in validating the orbiter's design. After retirement, it was preserved and is now displayed at the Technik Museum Speyer in Germany.

## Key Facts
- First flight: November 10, 1985
- Service retirement: 1989
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Powered by: Four Saturn AL-31 jet engines
- Part of: Buran programme
- Owned by: Technik Museum Speyer (since 2005)
- Aircraft registration: CCCP-3501002
- Instance of: Buran-class orbiter, testbed aircraft
- Total flights: 30 (including 10 autonomous flights)

## FAQs
### Q: What does OK-GLI stand for?
A: The acronym "OK-GLI" translates to "Gli" (ГЛИ), which stands for "Gromadka Letayushchaya Izdeliye" (Громадка Летающая Изделие), meaning "Large Flying Test Article" in Russian.

### Q: What role did OK-GLI play in the Buran programme?
A: OK-GLI was used to test the aerodynamic and flight control systems of the Buran orbiter in atmospheric conditions, ensuring the spacecraft could safely glide and land after re-entry.

### Q: Where is OK-GLI located today?
A: OK-GLI is on display at the Technik Museum Speyer in Germany, where it has been exhibited since 2005.

## Why It Matters
OK-GLI was essential to the Buran programme as the primary testbed for validating the orbiter's aerodynamic design and flight control systems in Earth's atmosphere. While the Buran spacecraft itself only flew once uncrewed in 1988, OK-GLI's 30 test flights provided critical data to ensure the safety and functionality of the orbiter during descent and landing. Its role highlights the rigorous testing required for reusable spacecraft development, contributing to advancements in Soviet space technology. As the only Buran prototype equipped with jet engines for repeated atmospheric testing, OK-GLI remains a unique artifact of the Cold War space race and a symbol of Soviet engineering ambitions.

## Notable For
- The only Buran-class orbiter prototype equipped with jet engines for atmospheric flight testing.
- Completed 30 test flights, including 10 autonomous missions without a carrier aircraft.
- Preserved and publicly displayed at the Technik Museum Speyer, making it one of the few Buran-related artifacts accessible to the public.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of the Buran orbiter's glide-and-land capabilities, a critical requirement for reusable spacecraft.

## Body
### Program Context
OK-GLI was developed as part of the Soviet Buran programme, which aimed to create a reusable spacecraft system comparable to the U.S. Space Shuttle. While the Buran orbiter (OK-1K1) flew only once in 1988, OK-GLI focused on validating atmospheric flight regimes.

### Technical Specifications
- **Engines**: Four Saturn AL-31 turbojet engines, providing thrust for autonomous flight.
- **Design**: Structurally similar to the orbital Buran spacecraft but with modifications for jet-powered flight and landing gear suited for repeated takeoffs and landings.
- **Registration**: CCCP-3501002, reflecting its status as a Soviet experimental aircraft.

### Flight History
- **First Flight**: November 10, 1985, piloted by Gennady Strelkalov.
- **Operations**: Conducted 30 flights between 1985 and 1989, including 10 autonomous missions launched from a ramp at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
- **Retirement**: Retired in 1989 after completing its test program.

### Post-Program Fate
- **Storage**: Initially stored in Kazakhstan after the Buran programme's cancellation.
- **Transfer**: Acquired by the Technik Museum Speyer in 2005, where it underwent restoration and is now a major exhibit.

### Legacy
OK-GLI represents a pivotal yet underrecognized chapter in Soviet spaceflight history, embodying the technical challenges and achievements of the Buran programme. Its preservation ensures continued public and scholarly engagement with this unique artifact of Cold War-era space exploration.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013