The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-105, part of the Spiral program, was a crewed test vehicle to explore low-speed handling and landing. It was a visible result of a Soviet project to create an orbital spaceplane. The MiG 105 was nicknamed "Lapot" (Russian: лапоть, or bast shoe; the word is also used as a slang for "shoe"), for the shape of its nose.

This is a list of aircraft produced by Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, formerly Mikoyan, a Russian aircraft manufacturer.

Jan 11, 2023 · The MiG-105 was a space plane that was originally earmarked to play a starring role in the Soviet’s aborted attempt to create an orbital launch system.

Spacecraft: MiG 105-11. The EPOS spaceplane made its first flight, taking off from an old dirt airstrip near Moscow, flying straight ahead to an altitude of 560 m, and landing at the Zhukovskii flight test center 19 km away.

Nov 27, 2017 · The MiG-105 was built as a research aircraft in support of the Spiral, to demonstrate landings (made on skids) and low speed handling. It made its first subsonic free-flight in 1976, taking off under its own power from an old airstrip near Moscow.

Aug 12, 2024 · The Soviet Union envisioned the MiG-105 as a versatile platform that could be used for orbital reconnaissance, satellite interception, and even as a potential space-based bomber.

Mar 2, 2023 · The MiG-105 was a lifting-body spacecraft that lacked wings like conventional aircraft and rockets. Instead, it relied on the geometry of its fuselage to generate lift during atmospheric reentry. This design enhanced the spacecraft’s maneuverability and …

Nov 15, 2013 · Also known as the MiG-105, the craft employed a ramjet engine that required an assisted launch to gain orbit. After the dawn of the space age, Soviet rocket designers and cosmonauts continued work on a space plane then called Spiral, during the 1960s.

Spiral MiG-105 Specifications: General characteristics. Crew: 1; Length: 10.6m (34 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 6.7m (21 ft 12 in) Wing area: 24m² (258ft²) Armament: None; Empty weight: 3,500 Kg (7,716 lb) Gross weight: 4,220 Kg (9,303 lb) Powerplant: 14.70 kN (3,305 lbf) Maximum speed: 800km/h (432 knots, 500 mph)

Spacecraft: MiG 105-11, Spiral OS. Lozino-Lozinsky was selected as project manager. The Spiral system consisted of three main components: the GSR reusable hypersonic air-breathing launch aircraft; RB expendable two stage rocket; and the OS orbital spaceplane..