In sum, the Soviets' design of the Energiya as modular ELV was in keeping with their traditional on functionality, versatility, and simplicity. The fact that designed a new rocket engine, with cryogenic liquid no less, for the Energiya instead of adapting previous Soviet rocket speaks to Glushko's political influence the time, as well as a Soviet political that could give one individual so much power. Buran's configuration as a winged, reusable spacecraft is attributable to two factors: the long Soviet history spaceplane concepts and the Soviets' desire to match U.S. Shuttle's capabilities by matching its design.

First, politics inevitably shapes and often dominates the conduct science and technology. The U.S. Shuttle was built designed the way it was for a variety mostly domestic political reasons. While the Buran was heavily affected by domestic politics, its development is more Cold War story of the Soviets competing the United States. During the 1970s, the Apollo-Soyuz Project was the exception that proves the rule superpower competition and the stories of the two conform closely to this rule.