FReeper Canteen~The Antonov An-225 Mriya~29 March, 2007

The Canteen Crew

[AZamericonnie]

The Antonov An-225 Mriya


The Antonov-225 at Munich Airport

Antonov An-225 "Mriya" is the world's largest aircraft. When it was built, it surpassed any airliner built before by 50%. It was designed for the transportation of the Russian Space Shuttle "Buran" by the Antonov Design Bureau (HQ in Kiev, Ukraine), which already had built good and large cargo aircraft such as the Antonov An-124 "Ruslan". The basic configuration of the An-225 is the same as the An-124, except the An-225 is longer, has no rear ramp/door assembly, and incorporates a 32-wheel landing gear system (two nose and fourteen main wheel bogies, seven per side, each with two wheels).


An-225 carrying the Buran shuttle

An-225 "Mriya" ("Mriya" is Ukrainian word for "dream) is also capable to transport other oversized objects/cargo. It is not a military aircraft, but it could find many military uses, because of the ability to transport cargo that no other aircraft is capable to.

The plane had the first flight in early 1988 and entered service in 1989. It's first flight took 75 minutes. After the cancellation of the Buran space program, the only An-225 built was stored in spring 1994, and it's engines were used for An-124s. In 2001 the aircraft was made airworthy again, and made it's new first flight on May 7. There were rumors that the European Space Agency had plans to launch the unmanned British HoTOL (Horizontal Take-Off and Landing) from the An-225, though these rumors appear to be unfounded. Although, some possibilities for deployment have already been found. Plenty of customers are to be found in the USA. According to Bruce Bird, Director of the Charter Division of Air Foyle, parts of rocket launchers like the Delta and Atlas could be transported in the An-225. Lockheed's planned Venture Star could be transported on its back. Additionally the Mrija could serve as a launch platform for the X-34B. Furthermore big sections of aircraft could be transported in it. The complete assembled fuselage of a Boeing 737 can be fitted in the hold.

General characteristics
Crew: 6
Payload: 250,000 kg (551,000 lb)
Door dimensions: 440 x 640 cm (14.4 x 21.0 ft)
Length: 84 m (276 ft)
Wingspan: 88.40 m (291 ft 2 in)
Height: 18.1 m (59.3 ft)
Wing area: 905.0 m² (9,741 ft²)
Empty weight: 175,000 kg (385,800 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 640,000 kg (1,411,000 lb)
Powerplant: 6× ZMKB Progress D-18 turbofans, 229 kN (51,600 lbf) each
Takeoff run: 3,500 m (11,500 ft) with maximum payload

Performance
Maximum speed: 850 km/h (460 knots, 530 mph)
Cruise speed: 750 km/h (400 knots, 465 mph)
Range:

With maximum fuel: 14,000 km (8,700 mi)
With maximum payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
Wing loading: 662.9 kg/m² (135.5 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.234

A size comparison between four of the largest aircraft. Put on yer glasses to read this!:)

Shuttle Buran & Antonov AN225 Mriya Video

THE WORLDS BIGGEST PLANES!!

[luvie]

Evenin', Rus! Hope this has been a good week so far!

Thanks for our beautiful lesson from God's Word!

[Jet Jaguar]

Copycats!

(((Hugz)))

[AZamericonnie]

Agreed about the twisters.

I grew up in the midwest with them. Fortunalty we we're never directly effect by one.

Years after we left a neighboorhood I once lived in, Del City, was destroyed as well as several other areas.

I don't much care for earthquakes either!

[mylife]

Thats one big son of a bear!

[AZamericonnie]

Yes it is! I know it's not American made but I'm fascinated by it.

Hope you had a good day! *Hugs*

[Jet Jaguar]

Just poppin' in to say hello!

I gotta hit the sack.

Have Fun!

[Army Air Corps]

One did graze the SE part of town over the week-end. Minimal damage and no fatalities.

[SevenofNine]

Well there is another report off Editor and Publsiher claim that SF Chroncile going lay off some workers they may get rid of editorial publisher too LOL!

Also another report off BBC wire claim former MP in Zimbawee govt has been busted by Robert Mubergee gangstra cops

[SevenofNine]

Damn I wish this was true right now LOL!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1808465/posts

[AZamericonnie]

Hiya puppypusher!

I'm not sure where the Ukrainian's got the design.

It just amazes me that something of that size can really fly! lol

[MoochPooch]

Awesome. I feel enlightened.

[luvie]

I salute all these heroes!

[luvie]

Is she good?

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[AZamericonnie]

Hee Hee! But can they launch it off of there? I don't think so!:)

Evening dear JJ! *Hugs*

I was amazed watching it take off & fly how much the arc of the wings changed from being bowed down to bowed upward.

[luvie]

Goodness, JJ!

You never get to stay!

Nighty-night...thank you for serving your country!

[SevenofNine]

She is good she sometime Fox news free lance reporter she is sub for Jennifer Griffins or Amy Kellogg

My dad like Amy he said that she look cute in the winter hats when she reporting from Moscow Russia LOL!

[puppypusher]

Yea! I equate that plane to an apartment building flying through the sky. Its simply amazing.When I was in the U.S. Air Force I happened to watch the C-5 Galaxy take off. I could Not believe that plane could actually get air borne it was so big. Once it did it was beautiful.

[The Mayor]

Hi!

[AZamericonnie]

Hi My! Isn't it though. Did ya check out the rear landing gear? Looks like a diesel on steroids! LOL *Hugs*