The Soviets did build their own 'STS' called MKS (/Buran) – looked similar to US system but had significant differences -e.g. they relied on liquid propellants only for their engines – no SRBs . Only made one actual spaceflight – Nov 15 1988 – and it was truly stunning – completely automatic – launch, orbital manoeuvre, deorbit, and precision landing . No crew even monitoring . Then the USSR collapsed and that was the end of it . Really sad .
by SevenSharp