[a235]

On engine difference, which is critical but has not been pointed out: - Buran had no launching engines, whole Energia rocket has been lost (apart of boosters?) - Shuttle did, thus the most expensive part has been returned back This resulted in a fact that STS launches were expected to be much cheaper [citation needed]

[skykooler]

Although, the plan for the Energia launch vehicle was to return and land (the boosters vertically, like SpaceX is doing, while they planned to put wings on the main rocket) - however the program was canceled before they got to that phase of the project.