# OK-M

> airframe and shake test article in the Buran programme

**Wikidata**: [Q4328927](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4328927)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ok-m

## Summary
OK-M (also known as OK-ML-1 or BTS-001) is an airframe and shake test article developed as part of the Soviet Buran programme. It served as a structural and vibration test model for the Buran-class orbiter, helping validate the spacecraft's design before flight. The test article was later displayed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome museum.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Buran-class orbiter, test article, and exhibit.
- **Part of**: The Buran programme, a Soviet reusable spacecraft initiative.
- **Aliases**: OK-ML-1, OK-ML1, BTS-001, Buran 1M, 1M, Buran 0.01, 0.01.
- **Location**: Baikonur Cosmodrome (since January 2007).
- **Country of origin**: Soviet Union.
- **Coordinates**: Originally located at 45.91963° N, 63.30996° E (1988–2006), now at 45.90966° N, 63.31785° E.
- **Schematic**: Available at [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/02_OK-ML1.png).
- **Image**: Displayed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome museum ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Корабль_«Буран»_в_музее_космонавтики_(Байконур).jpg)).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of OK-M?
A: OK-M was an airframe and shake test article designed to validate the structural integrity and vibration resistance of the Buran-class orbiter before its first flight.

### Q: Where is OK-M located today?
A: It is currently displayed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome museum, having been moved there in January 2007.

### Q: How does OK-M differ from the actual Buran orbiter?
A: OK-M was a test model, not a functional spacecraft. It lacked life-support systems and was used solely for structural and vibration testing.

### Q: Who developed OK-M?
A: OK-M was developed as part of the Soviet Buran programme, a collaborative effort between Soviet aerospace engineers and designers.

### Q: Is OK-M still in use today?
A: No, OK-M is an exhibit at the Baikonur Cosmodrome museum and is not operational.

## Why It Matters
OK-M played a critical role in the Buran programme by serving as a structural and vibration test model. Its development helped ensure the Buran-class orbiter could withstand the forces of launch and re-entry. Despite the programme's cancellation, OK-M remains a significant artifact of Soviet space engineering, showcasing the Soviet Union's ambitions in reusable spacecraft technology. Its display at the Baikonur Cosmodrome museum provides a tangible link to the country's space exploration history.

## Notable For
- **Test Article**: OK-M was the first and only airframe test model for the Buran programme, validating its structural design.
- **Exhibit**: It is one of the few surviving Buran-related artifacts, displayed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome museum.
- **Historical Significance**: Represents Soviet efforts in reusable spacecraft technology, despite the programme's cancellation.
- **Structural Validation**: Its testing confirmed the Buran orbiter's ability to endure launch and re-entry vibrations.

## Body
### Overview
OK-M, officially designated as OK-ML-1 or BTS-001, was a test article developed for the Buran programme. It served as a structural and vibration test model, helping validate the design of the Buran-class orbiter before its first flight.

### Development and Testing
- **Purpose**: OK-M was built to test the airframe's structural integrity and resistance to vibrations during launch and re-entry.
- **Testing**: It underwent extensive shake tests to simulate the forces experienced during spaceflight.
- **Results**: The tests confirmed the orbiter's design was sound, paving the way for the Buran programme's future flights.

### Location and Display
- **Original Location**: Initially located at coordinates 45.91963° N, 63.30996° E (1988–2006).
- **Current Location**: Moved to the Baikonur Cosmodrome museum in January 2007, now displayed at 45.90966° N, 63.31785° E.
- **Exhibit Status**: OK-M is now a static display, not an operational spacecraft.

### Historical Context
- **Buran Programme**: Part of the Soviet Union's reusable spacecraft initiative, which aimed to develop a space shuttle.
- **Cancellation**: The Buran programme was discontinued after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with only one orbiter, Buran, ever completing a test flight in 1988.

### Legacy
- **Engineering Achievement**: OK-M's testing contributed to the Buran programme's technical success, despite its limited operational use.
- **Cultural Significance**: As an exhibit at Baikonur, it remains a symbol of Soviet space exploration and engineering prowess.

## References

1. [Source](http://i0.wp.com/sometimes-interesting.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/abandoned-buran.jpg)