Although I agree the space program lost steam, I'd still count the Mir space station (1985) and Buran space shuttle (1988) to both be ambitious achievements.

> I'd still count the Mir space station (1985) and Buran space shuttle (1988) to both be ambitious achievements

Mir yes. Buran was an ambitious project but not achievement.

I would rate this as an achievement:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buran_(spacecraft)#Orbital_fli...

Fair enough. If the Saturn V is an achievement so was Buran.