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!!

[LadyPilgrim]

Boo hoo!
I don't either.
Do you have a State Park that takes in injured animals?
We have one here and they take all kinds of wild life in to nurture them back to health!

And Bluebirds are finicky about their homes.
Get a Blue bird house and book that tells the info on them.
You probably can get them to your yard. My book says their habitat is in IL.

[luvie]

I live in Texas now. So...no bluebirds I guess.

Well, I went to check on the little dove, and there
was just a little pile of feathers. *sigh*

Some mean cat just took him while I wasn't looking. *sniff*

[LadyPilgrim]

{{{ HUGS }}} to you, FRiend! ;-)
I hope the storms are just rain and thunder! ;-)

Everything's going great here!

My NEW yard guys are here and they have got me hopping.
New kids that don't do things right.;\
We had the other fellows for 7 years, and they went into the commercial business and sold their residential business.

So...of course....I have to go and supervise...;-)
But if I don't, they weedeat the plants falling over the rocks! (shaking my head)...
Don't they know they're not supposed to do that??????? ;-)

But other than that!!! Everything's rocking right along!
Need rain to wash off the pollen and that's coming...so we're doing great! ;-)

[LadyPilgrim]

Oh poor baby...I'll sniff with you!

But...good news....you have Bluebirds in Texas too!
As a matter of fact, ALL of Texas!

Get a Bluebird book.....and a house and position it just right in your yard...and.....!!!
You'll be surprized to see them building a nest.
They don't like trees close to it, or shrubs either.
And 100 or so feet apart.

That's the reason you can see Bluebird houses out on fence posts along the road, in open fields.
Check this out...http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/Projects/Completed/Bird_House/Bird_House.htm

;-)

[LadyPilgrim]

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/bluebirds/

Here's another site that might encourage you! ;-)
This one is better.

[LadyPilgrim]

I am sooooo sorry about the dove.

They are sweet birds, but nasty house keepers!
Their nests are a mess!!!!
They lay eggs in the most precarious nest sites.
Amazing that, they're actually so prolific!

[luvie]

Thanks for those links! I will look for them. They must hide quite well. I live in the desert area of Texas, and I just assumed that they wouldn't like it here!

I don't! LOL!

[beachn4fun]

Howdy, Lady P

Enjoy your day.

[luvie]

They are nasty! But I love to hear mourning doves in the distance...it is peaceful.

[LadyPilgrim]

Oh sweet one...God has you there for a purpose.
Maybe to put out Bluebird houses!
They are so beautiful and loving.

My DIL and son moved to AR of all places! And bless her heart...she liked to have fallen apart wanting to come back home.
Their children were so wanting to see their friends... it was pitiful.
But finally after 3 years....she has acclamated! Thankfully!
Son has a marvelous job and they finally found a Church.
That helped tremendously!

West, west Texas is the year round area for the Eastern Bluebird. The rest of the State is summer breeding area.

[luvie]

Yay! I will have to go find a house for them and see if I can attract a family. They are such little jewels!

[LadyPilgrim]

Afternoon dear one! It's going to be quite warm here today...
Come on over and we'll have a popcicle! ;-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

wh!!

Mayor.....#50!!
AAC.....#100!!
Luv.....#150, #250, #350!!
ms b.....#200!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Enjoy your dirt! Too cool about the bluebird eggs. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Pusterfuss...((HUGS))...how is your global warming doing? 60s? 70s? 80s?

[Pusterfuss]

Hi Kathy. It's a little gloomy but it is sixty out. Should be a rainy week-end. How is Alaska?

[HiJinx]

She certainly has grown. I guess that's what they do...

How about yours? They all doing okay?

[HiJinx]

Some mean cat just took him while I wasn't looking. *sniff*

Circle of life...the cat'll get his.

[LadyPilgrim]

Circle of life...the cat'll get his.

You're right, dear!
Judgement could be.....just around the corner! ;-)

But they sure are cute little fellows when they're just kitties.

I'm actually a "dog" person. Someone else can keep the cats! ;-)

[LadyPilgrim]

{{{ HUGS }}} to you too dear!
Hope you're well today.

Hey!
You have BIG mooses in your yard, girl! ;-)
Thanks for those pictures!