This comment in chat points to a "google search of the day" which was for Buran the Soviet version of the Space Shuttle. Looking there I saw images of a large transport aircraft with the Buran shuttle on top. What caught my eye were some photos of the transport aircraft with what looks like a large, orange air data boom at the end.

My understanding from Quora answers is that these are used for supersonic flight, and I wouldn't expect this shuttle to be transported supersonically.

Question: What is this transport aircraft, and why does it sometimes cary an air data boom when the Buran shuttle is on top of it?

above: From pics-about-space.com and pinterest.

below: I believe this is Buran itself, also with an air data boom, thrown in here for good measure. From pinterest.