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!!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

((((((((((Luv)))))))))
LOL
yes, it's okay!
Ms.B

[HiJinx]

I'm going to look into one of these industrial strength babies...

This one from industrialshredders.com eats 6000 pounds of paper an hour. You use a 6" chunk of 2x4 to clean the cutters!

[SevenofNine]

OMG Karl Rove can't rap or dance LOLOLOL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYZre8kEsuw

[MS.BEHAVIN]

BB!
*smiling*
Trust me, it was BAD!
Ms.B

[MEG33]

I think we are all far apart in miles..I just managed up hear the last sentence of the local news"Lots of weather out there"!.

Right now it is a calm nice evening. Love the rain possibilites the next few days.

[MEG33]

I need that..All my old shreddables are boxed up and in the garage..I hate shredding! I hate paper work!

[luvie]

LOL! That was just BAD!...but it sure took courage to do it!

[luvie]

I'm afraid so. Last time all it gave us was some really nice rain. I hope that's the case this time, too!

You stay safe...and I'll do the same.

[luvie]

?

[luvie]

?

[SevenofNine]

You got admit about Karl Rove he is manficicent bastard but also lousy rapper he is no Puff Daddy LOLOLOL! or Snoopy Doggy

[luvie]

Awesome shots, Big Guy!

How are ya...and how are things....................?

[luvie]

Hi, BB! Thanks for setting her straight! LOL!

((((hugs))))

[mylife]

I see you are a friend of the houston museum of natural science. My child hood buddy is married to Carolyn Sumners They are great folks. Sounds like you are too.

There should be several of us in SA on the evening of the 13th, then we are all going shooting in memorium Freeper Texascowboy on the 14th followed by a Freeper BBQ Im not sure of all the meeting times. LuvW or Larenmarlowe or Nytexan prolly have a better grip on that. We are planning dinner at Mi Tierra on the evening of the 13th. wanna join us there?

[luvie]

*whew*

I was afraid I was gonna have to hide under this table!

What happened to make it so awful?

[AZamericonnie]

but the C-5 Galaxy serves real coffee

Real coffee? Well then!:)

Good evening Bigs! *Hugs*

Can I ask something real silly but sincere? How do the pilots get into the cockpit?

[luvie]

He's not even a decent Donald Duck when it comes to dancing! LOL! But he's tough!

[mylife]

Im sure it was the same incident

[AZamericonnie]

Good evening Jinx....yes it does. And what a story behind it, made of wood!

[Army Air Corps]

Hmmm, an excuse to drive down to SA. I'll have to see if my schedule can accomodate such a trip. It is about five hours drive from here.