Energiya rocket

Most powerful Soviet booster rocket, first launched on 15 May 1987. Used to launch the Soviet space shuttle Buran in 1968, the SL-17 Energiya booster was capable, with the aid of strap-on boosters, of launching payloads of up to 190 tonnes into Earth orbit. It stood 60 m/197 ft tall and was the first Soviet rocket to use liquid-hydrogen fuel. The rocket made only two flights to orbit before being abandoned.