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]

This room is the office/junk/too many shoes and clothes/sort through a ton of paperwork room.
*sigh*
I need one of those midget bulldozers!
Ms.B

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I gotta hit the hay!
I'm nodding over the keyboard!
Good night Ma!
Good night Canteeners and Troops!
God Bless and Keep you always!
Ms.B

[Kathy in Alaska]

Busy, busy, busy.....little ones seem to have boundless energy, and that game of round and round and round is a classic. Thanks for the action shots.

[MEG33]

I hate black ice..You can't see it .
I just put my summer clothes in my closet and put winter stuff away. I saved back some long sleeved sweatshirts and a light jacket I wear those anyway in the summer to protect against the mosquitos whan I weedeat the ground cover.

We can have a quick freeze yet..I've seen it happen.

[HiJinx]

Same here. We don't say Spring has truly arrived until the Mesquite trees start showing leaves.

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL!!! I'm having the same problem. Good night and rest well, ms b. *HUGS* Thanks for all you do for our troops.

[MEG33]

I wish they had truck they'd park in my driveway and shred away!

[MEG33]

Sweet Dreams

[MEG33]

Adorable!

[MeekMom]

Well, I'm doin' alright.
Hope you are too Luvy!!!
BTW. you never did tell us how ((old)) you are now. hee hee hee

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh my goodness......tornado watch?? Do you have a safe place to go?

I love the sound of rain, especially on my skylights.

[MEG33]

Good evening MM! How are you?

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP Sgt Jason Swiger

Amazing Grace

[SandRat]

#294? or is it #294+?

Oh well a long day and didn't get back from the meeting at Council til late.

Have to work tomorrow so think I'll call it quits.

[Kathy in Alaska]

It's just 10p here and I'm not gonna make it much longer. The zzzzzzzzzzzzzz monster snuck in. Hope you had a good meeting. Good night and sleep well, Sand. Thanks for helping honor our troops. And thank you for your service to country and community.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[MeekMom]

Hi Meg!
Doin' alright. Gonna play some games for awhile.
Catch ya later gator. :)

[MEG33]

I'll say goodnight, Kathy..I am going to organize a closet full of bedding right behind my "office"..Sleep schedule is off normal again..Get some rest and thank (((you))) for all you do.

*Thank You To All*
Who Serve Our Country
and To Their Families

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night, Meg, and rest well when you can. I'm just about asleep at the switch here, so will find my bed shortly.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I miss him too....