On May 15, 1987, an Energiarocket flew for the first time. The payload was a prototype orbital weapons platform UKSS (also known as 'Polyus'), the final version of which would be armed with nuclear space mines and defensive cannon. According to reports, the attempt to place it into orbit failed.
The Polyus weapons platform was designed to defend itself against Anti-satellite weapons with recoilless cannon. It had an FGB (the Russian acronym for Functional Cargo Block, similar to the Zarya FGB that was the first component of the ISS) space resupply tug attached to control its orbit. It was designed so a Buran shuttle could dock and maintain it. It was also equipped with a sensor blinding laser to confuse approaching weapons and could launch test targets to validate the fire control system.
For technical reasons, the payload was launched upside down. It was designed to separate from the Energia, rotate 180 degrees, then complete its boost to orbit. The booster functioned perfectly, but after disconnecting, the Polyus spun a full 360 degrees (instead of the planned 180 degrees). When the rocket fired, it slowed and fell into the South-Pacific ocean.
It was first test-launched in 1987 with the Polyus spacecraft (UKSSmilitarypayload), where the Energia itself functioned well, but the Polyus failed to reach orbit due to a malfunction of its own attitude control system after separation from Energia.
Energia exceeded both the payload capability and the technical performance of the Saturn V, earning itself the status of the most complex and powerful heavy rocket ever constructed.
The Energiarocket only flew twice, the first on May 15 1987, with the UKSSmilitarypayload, and the second on November 15 1988, with the Buran Shuttle.
The Energia was first test-launched 15 May 1987 21:30 with the Polyus spacecraft (UKSSmilitarypayload), where the Energia itself functioned well, but the Polyus did not reach orbit due to a mishap of its own attitude control system after separation from Energia.
The Energiarocket only flew twice, the first on May 15, 1987, with the Polyus militarypayload, and the second on November 15, 1988, with the Buran Shuttle.
In all categories: takeoff thrust, launch mass, payload mass, etc. the Saturn V and the Energia are at the top of the list in some order, and every other launch system (with the possible exception of the STS) being a distant third.
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