1988: Energia-Buran (USSR)

The Energia rocket was designed by NPO Energia to serve as a heavy-lift expendable launch system. It had the capacity to place around 100 tons in Low Earth orbit. The Energia-Buran Reusable Space System (MKS) began development in 1976 as a Soviet system that would replicate the capabilities of the US shuttle system. Following extended development, Buran made a successful first unmanned flight on 15 November 1988. Funding dried up and the Buran programme disappeared from the government’s budget after 1993.