The Antonov An-225 Mriya is a heavy-lift transport. It was designed to carry piggy-back loads which are too big to fit into its fuselage. For example, the Buran Space Shuttle. Mriya means dream. It is the world's largest aircraft in the world. It was derived from the An-124. The An-225 uses 6 engines, whereas, the An-124 has 4 engines.
The An-225 first flew on 21 December, 1988. Only one An-225 was built, however, a second plane may be built.
An-225 as a Space Launcher
The An-225 was going to be used as the first stage of the Maks Space Launch System aka Maks Spaceplane and an expendable fuel tank would have been carried piggy-bank on the An-225. There are plans to launch a Maks-T manned version in 2006. This version carries an expendable 2nd stage with payload container containing spacecraft.
Specifications
Type: Heavy Transport
Powerplants: Six ZMKB Progress Lotarev D-18T turbofans with 229.50kN of thrust each
Max take-Off Weight: 600,000kg
Max Payload
(internal or external): 250,000kg - 275, 000kg?
Wingspan: 88.4m
Length: 84m
Speed: 800km/h
Height: 18.1m
Cargo Hold:
Length: 35.97m; Width:
6.4m; Height: 4.39m
Range with Max Payload: 4,500km
Range with Max Fuel: 15,400km
Crew: 7
Reference:
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Updated: Sunday 28th, May, 2006