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 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
Breathtaking ruins of the Soviet space shuttle program

Editor’s Note: ‘The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future’ travels east to west along this ancient trade route, exploring how traditional culture, arts, and trade have developed in the 21st century.

CNN  — 

What was once the gleaming pride and joy of the Soviet space program now lies covered in dirt and bird droppings in a disused hangar in Kazakhstan.

With their broken windows, missing tiles and ransacked interiors, these shuttles are a haunting – and fascinating – piece of space history, rarely seen by the outside world.

Indeed, when 36-year-old Russian photographer Ralph Mirebs discovered the derelict shuttles and rocket at Baikonur Cosmodrome, he was touched by the sad end for these “wonderful winged machines.”

In another lifetime, these prototypes are thought to have been part of the Soviets’ Buran Program, which began in 1974 and was discontinued in 1993.

For Mirebs, a lecturer in computer programming and longtime space enthusiast, it was the discovery of a lifetime.

We spoke to the urban explorer about his remarkable find.

Did you already know what was inside these buildings?

“Yes, seeing the shuttles and rocket was the main purpose of my trip to Baikonur. I had read about it in books on the history of Soviet space exploration.

“However, I did not know what state they would be in, and didn’t know about the other equipment inside the hangar.”

How did you get inside the hangar?

“It wasn’t locked, and there were no people inside.

“When I first saw the shuttles, I marveled at their size. I was also surprised by a lot of the equipment on the walls of the hangar.”

And what was it like inside?

“It was during the day, so it was very light inside the hangar. Looking at the shuttles, I admired their coolness.

“I think if they were in a good and clean condition, my photographs would not have created such a stir around the world. It’s all about the contrasts.”

How did you get access to the Baikonur Cosmodrome site?

“Let it remain secret.”

What else is on the site?

“The hangar is located a few kilometers from the Gagarin launchpad (where cosmonaut Yuri Gagrin became the first person to fly into space, in 1961).

“And next to the shuttle hangar, there is another abandoned building housing the test model Energy-M space rocket.”

What do you think should be done with the shuttles?

“I would like to see the hangar, with shuttles and equipment inside, become a museum.”

You describe yourself as an “urban explorer”; what does that involve?

“I like a variety of man-made or underground places that people have left. There is a sense of mystery in these places. You never know what is waiting for you around the next corner or through the next door.

“These are places where you can touch history. There are no restrictions; it’s just you and the ruin.”

What is the allure of these images?

“I think because space shuttles are known around the world. They are associated with the progress of mankind, with new horizons of knowledge. And while everyone knows about the American space shuttles, less is known about the Russian models.

“Since publishing the photos, I’ve received two types of comments. The first are surprised that Russia still has shuttles. And the second are horrified at what condition they are in, covered in dust and bird poo.

“I believe that this is a terrible end for these wonderful winged machines.”