Assuring flight safety of the reusable space rocket system Energia - Buran (towards a history of development of the unique space hardware)

The paper is dealing with studies aimed at assuring flight safety of the reusable rocket and space system Energia - Buran during ascent to orbit, and contains a summary of research, engineering, design and experimental studies, carried out by specialists of RSC Energia (formerly NPO Energia), NPO Molniya and many other companies that were involved in this project. The paper discusses key design solutions for the system as a whole, for the orbiter, for the emergency rescue system, presents results of spacecraft motion simulations for a launch failure case, as well as demonstrates applicability of these solutions to future projects.