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!!

[mylife]

Doing well, a little harried on the keyboard but Im fine.
Hows about you?

[luvie]

MY...he lives in Lubbock now. LOL!

That is, AAC, unless you're going to be in SA in April
then, the offer stands. It's going to be fun!

[mylife]

Oh! I thought you said you were IN San Antone L0L

[mylife]

I boogered up L0L

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ms g....((HUGS))

I've had a couple of those grumpy days lately too.

[AZamericonnie]

Good evening rahbert! You've seen it too then?

I'd imagine the runway has to be quite large. As well as the "rent"!:)

[luvie]

That's okay! It's an honest mistake. He was TALKING about San Antonio. LOL!

But, of course, he might just want to come after reading your great PR about the trip!...and is VERY welcome to!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Some of it was the usual..
My co-worker didn't show up..
Some of it was NOT ususal, one of our new residents is a man I knew/know well..
He lost a son to war (Somalia) and a grandson in Iraq..
I was stunned to see him admittied to our long tem care facility..
It shook me to the core..
Ms.B

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Luv!

The weather report this morning call for rain....1-2 inches and all I got was a deeper tan.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Harried on the keyboard?
How come?
Ms.B

[mylife]

I just thought "hey if youre in SA, Why dont you join us"? L0L

[luvie]

How do the pilots get into the cockpit?

LOL! Inquiring minds want to know...and I have my ear to the door to hear the answer!

[AZamericonnie]

Good evening Ms B~! You need a *Hug*

Sit your "grouchy" self down & feel betters!:) *smile*

[mylife]

Cuz I cant type L0L

[BIGLOOK]

They follow the stewardesses.

[NYTexan]

Hmmm, an excuse to drive down to SA.

Just make the trip. You won't regret it!

Details available upon request.

2nd Annual TexasCowboy Memorial Shoot

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
Hiya Ma!
You've had them too?
LOL
Ms.B

[Army Air Corps]

LOL.

Naw, SA is my hometown. I was last there in 2001!

[luvie]

Oh, Ms.B...that had to be a shocker to you!

Please give him our deep-felt thanks for his son and grandson's brave service and.....God rest their souls! *sigh*

You have the WORST bunch of co-workers! I don't know how they keep their jobs! Sheesh!

[mylife]

My mistake L0L