It's hard to imagine now, but this derelict shuttle was once at the gleaming forefront of the Soviet space program. It was one of a number of dilapidated spacecraft found at the Baikonur Cosmodrome site in Kazakhstan by urban explorer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fralphmirebs.livejournal.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Ralph Mirebs. </a>
It's hard to imagine now, but this derelict shuttle was once at the gleaming forefront of the Soviet space program. It was one of a number of dilapidated spacecraft found at the Baikonur Cosmodrome site in Kazakhstan by urban explorer Ralph Mirebs.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
The ghostly spacecrafts are thought to have been part of the Soviets' Buran Program, which began in 1974 and was discontinued in 1993.
The ghostly spacecrafts are thought to have been part of the Soviets' Buran Program, which began in 1974 and was discontinued in 1993.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
Only one of the reusable Buran shuttles ever made it into space, in 1988, but it was destroyed when the hangar it was housed in collapsed in 2002. Meanwhile, these two prototypes have been left to accumulate dust in the desert steppes of Kazakhstan.
Only one of the reusable Buran shuttles ever made it into space, in 1988, but it was destroyed when the hangar it was housed in collapsed in 2002. Meanwhile, these two prototypes have been left to accumulate dust in the desert steppes of Kazakhstan.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
That's not to say the entire Baikonur Cosmodrome site is in such a decaying state. In fact, this hangar is just a few kilometers from the launchpad where cosmonaut Yuri Gagrin became the first person to fly into space in 1961 -- a launchpad that is still in use today.
That's not to say the entire Baikonur Cosmodrome site is in such a decaying state. In fact, this hangar is just a few kilometers from the launchpad where cosmonaut Yuri Gagrin became the first person to fly into space in 1961 -- a launchpad that is still in use today.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
After years of neglect, the insides of the shuttles were in disarray.
After years of neglect, the insides of the shuttles were in disarray.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
Mirebs, a 36-year-old Russian lecturer in computer programming, said the hangar "wasn't locked, and there were no people inside."
Mirebs, a 36-year-old Russian lecturer in computer programming, said the hangar "wasn't locked, and there were no people inside."
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
A glimpse inside the cockpit.
A glimpse inside the cockpit.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
"I would like to see the hangar, with shuttles and equipment inside, become a museum," said Mirebs.
"I would like to see the hangar, with shuttles and equipment inside, become a museum," said Mirebs.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
As for how Mirebs managed to get access to Baikonur Cosmodrome, the swift answer was "Let it remain secret."
As for how Mirebs managed to get access to Baikonur Cosmodrome, the swift answer was "Let it remain secret."
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
It wasn't the only treasure trove of awesome rusty relics Mirebs found. "Next to the shuttle hangar, there is another abandoned building housing the test model Energy-M space rocket," he said.
It wasn't the only treasure trove of awesome rusty relics Mirebs found. "Next to the shuttle hangar, there is another abandoned building housing the test model Energy-M space rocket," he said.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
"There is a sense of mystery in these places," added the 36-year-old. "You never know what is waiting for you around the next corner or through the next door."
"There is a sense of mystery in these places," added the 36-year-old. "You never know what is waiting for you around the next corner or through the next door."
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
Mirebs points his camera down the length of the rocket, giving us a rare glimpse of a magnificent relic from another era.
Mirebs points his camera down the length of the rocket, giving us a rare glimpse of a magnificent relic from another era.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
"These are places where you can touch history. There are no restrictions; it's just you and the ruin," he said.
"These are places where you can touch history. There are no restrictions; it's just you and the ruin," he said.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
Mirebs had an idea that the remarkable spacecraft were inside these buildings, but he had no idea what state they'd be in.
Mirebs had an idea that the remarkable spacecraft were inside these buildings, but he had no idea what state they'd be in.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs
Perhaps the fascination with these photographs is in seeing mighty feats of engineering bowing to the power of mother nature and time. And decades after they were laid to rest, they are still an out-of-this-world sight.
Perhaps the fascination with these photographs is in seeing mighty feats of engineering bowing to the power of mother nature and time. And decades after they were laid to rest, they are still an out-of-this-world sight.
Courtesy Ralph Mirebs