In article ,
says...

Has there ever been any consensus that Buran was a copy (stolen) of the U.S. Shuttle? The resemblence of the two seems to be too close to be anything but.

Thoughts?

Yes it is, at least in some respects (e.g. externally, so they could re-
use much of the aerodynamic work already done by NASA). But huge
obvious differences include the lack of main engines on the Soviet
shuttle.

How the Soviets stole a space shuttle
Part 1: Moscow finds an online bonanza of information from U.S.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18686090/#.UTUVkldZKM0

Jeff
--
"the perennial claim that hypersonic airbreathing propulsion would
magically make space launch cheaper is nonsense -- LOX is much cheaper
than advanced airbreathing engines, and so are the tanks to put it in
and the extra thrust to carry it." - Henry Spencer