--- title: "Video Shows Scoundrel Drawing Graffiti on USSR Space Shuttle" description: "Derelict Space Shuttle The Soviet Union’s ambitious plans to get its Space Shuttle rival called Buran off the ground and competing internationally largely failed after the collapse of the socialist state in the early 1990s. Much of what’s left to this day is the USSR’s second Buran-class shuttle dubbed “Burya,” which is now rotting inside […]" date: "2021-10-06" modified: "2021-10-06" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/graffiti-ussr-space-shuttle" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "Roscosmos" - "soviet union" - "space shuttle" - "the digest" - "ussr" --- # Video Shows Scoundrel Drawing Graffiti on USSR Space Shuttle ![In May, images surfaced of the USSR's space shuttle Burya covered in graffiti — and thanks to a new video, we can see a time lapse of the artist's work.]() *\Image: Vinni Verona via Twitter\* ## Derelict Space Shuttle The Soviet Union's ambitious plans to get its Space Shuttle rival off the ground largely failed after the collapse of the communist state in the early 1990s. The USSR's second Buran-class shuttle, dubbed "Burya," is now rotting inside a derelict warehouse near the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It's been sitting there [since at least 2002](), an important relic of the Soviet era decomposing instead of being displayed in a museum. In May, [images surfaced of the Burya]() covered in graffiti, and thanks to a [recently shared Instagram video](), we can see a time lapse of the artist's work. Make no mistake: Futurism is staunchly pro-graffiti — but still, this seems like a crappy way to treat such an important piece of space history. https://twitter.com/vincenzobarri71/status/1445791836388433920 ## Undeserved Fate According to [Russian state-owned news agency *RIA Novosti*](), the graffiti appeared in April and has already been painted over. The video also surfaced after a Kazakh businessman claimed he was the owner of the Burya and [offered to return]() it to Russia's space agency in return for the skull of the last Kazakh Khan, Kenesary Kasymov, who led a rebellion against the Russian Empire’s attempts to colonize the region in the 1840s. It remains unclear who the Burya actually belongs to — or if it will ever be moved. In September, the company that built the Burya, NPO Molniya, [visited the hangar]() to have a look, but it's unclear if it has plans to move the spacecraft. According [to Moscow-based space journalist Katya Pavlushchenko](), officials noted at the time that they were worried the hangar could collapse at any moment due to the building's "emergency condition." For now, Burya will remain locked up in the hangar, rotting away. Perhaps one day, Roscosmos will be able to broker a deal and put it on display. **More on the Burya:** *[Man Attempting to Trade Derelict USSR Space Shuttle for Human Skull]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()