In sum, the Soviets' design the Energiya as a ELV was in keeping their traditional emphasis on versatility, and simplicity. The that they designed a rocket engine, with cryogenic fuel no less, for Energiya instead of adapting previous Soviet rocket speaks Glushko's political influence at time, as well as Soviet political system that give one individual so power. The Buran's configuration a winged, reusable spacecraft largely attributable to two the long Soviet history spaceplane concepts and the desire to match the Shuttle's capabilities by matching design.

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