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!!

[GodBlessUSA]

Pretty good today. How are you? It's much cooler today than it has been. Have a great day E.G.C.

[luvie]

GEEEBEEEE!!!

It's so good to see you. I have missed you!

Glad you are enjoying the song. It's a bright and happy one,
just like Thursday should be, being close to the weekend.

(((hugs)))

[beachn4fun]

p.s. I was laughing at that giraffe.

[beachn4fun]

Nap? lucky you

sorry Booboo's sick, though

[luvie]

I knew that! He's so funny. Kind of chews in time to the music! LOL!

[luvie]

Now?

[luvie]

Now?

[luvie]

Now?

[luvie]

Now?

[luvie]

Now?

[GodBlessUSA]

I have missed you too! :) This week is going by way too fast though.

[SevenofNine]

Well report breaking off Fox news that Senate going WHATEVER to Dubya threat and veto and override his impedning veto

OH OKAY

[GodBlessUSA]

Woo Hoo LuvW :)

[tomkow6]

[luvie]

Yes, we need this week of all weeks to sloooooooow down! :(

[luvie]

LOL! Cute, GB!!

Thanks!

[luvie]

I just pray that he'll follow through with it.

I don't think they have the votes to over-ride...I hope not anyway!

[LadyPilgrim]

Ton's and ton's of {{{ HUGS }}}.....I'm headed to the yard again...
I looked this morning and we have 5 Bluebird eggs in the nest! She has laid one a day!!! That is soooo exciting to me! ;-)
They do it every year...
but it's still wonderful to see God's creation!!!
All praise to Him!!!
Yall......ALL YALL...... have a great day !!! ;-)))

And to our wonderful, brave, courageous, and loyal Troops....THANK YOU !!!

[luvie]

Mornin'!!

((((hugs))))

I wish we had bluebirds. I haven't even seen one since
we lived for a short time years ago in Illinois when my
hubby was in the Air Force.

I have an injured dove in my back yard. I don't know what
to do with him. =\

[E.G.C.]

It's going OK. We're dodging storms right now. They're in the forecas for much of the day.

((HUGS))Good morning, LadyPilgrim. How's it going?