Joe Snodgrass wrote in news:8fad398c-90fd-46df-8f8b-
:


Notice how close it was to the ground, before it pulled out of the
steep descent. And why do the tail nacelles look so much like jet
engines?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gjubQ7SB8I


Because they were jet engines.

However, the initial footage was not of the Buran orbiter but a
manned trainer/analog with four turbojet engines capable of making
a horizontal takeoff and powered landing. Engines were considered
for both Shuttle and actual Buran orbiters, but were deleted to
save weight and complexity.

Shuttle also makes steep descents before leveling out at fairly
low altitude.

--Damon