While we’re waiting for Discovery to launch it’s a good time to consider what’s next for the shuttle.

Every now and then we talk about the Russian shuttle Buran.  Oh yes for those of you who don’t know Russia did have a shuttle, they had a few different mock-ups actually.  One thing about the Russians, they had an amazing space program, they didn’t play second fiddle to anybody.  It’s no wonder they still have one of the best programs going although maybe not quite so diverse as it once was.

So what happens when they discontinue a program and might our shuttle fleet meet the same fate?  Have a look at this.

My friend Kostas sent me a Google Earth KML file of the Baikonur region, I couldn’t quite figure out how to link to it here, but if you open Google Earth and put “Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakstan” in the search box you can look around.  If you have Google Earth check it out, it’s pretty interesting.

Discovery Update:  Fueling is underway and so far there are no issues.