This [comment][1] in chat points to a "google search of the day" which was for [Buran][2] the Soviet version of the [Space Shuttle][3]. 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][4] at the end. My understanding from [Quora answers][5] 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? According to [this blog][12] it is an [Antonov AN-225][13] but I don't think that is a supersonic aircraft. [![enter image description here][6]][6] [![enter image description here][17]][7] [![enter image description here][18]][8] **above:** From [thelivingmoon.com][12]. Click for full size views. **below:** <s>I believe this is Buran itself</s>, According to [@Hobbes' correction/comment][14], this is the "OK-GLI: a Buran analog (shape is correct, systems are not identical to the orbital vehicle) with 4 jet engines that was used for flight testing in the atmosphere", also with an air data boom, thrown in here for good measure. From [pinterest][9]. [![enter image description here][11]][11] [1]: https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/44842291#44842291 [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buran_(spacecraft) [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_data_boom [5]: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-purpose-of-the-spike-sticking-out-of-the-nose-on-test-prototype-aircraft [6]: https://i.sstatic.net/NMPCH.jpg [7]: https://i.sstatic.net/mamD8.jpg [8]: https://i.sstatic.net/u0X08.jpg [17]: https://i.sstatic.net/mamD8m.jpg [18]: https://i.sstatic.net/u0X08m.jpg [9]: https://pics-about-space.com/soviet-space-shuttle?p=2 [10]: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/197454764886577197/ [11]: https://i.sstatic.net/SP2dK.jpg [12]: http://www.thelivingmoon.com/45jack_files/03files/Buran_003.html [13]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-225_Mriya [14]: https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/51978/what-is-this-transport-aircraft-and-why-does-it-sometimes-cary-an-air-data-boom#comment135143_51978