Molniya MAKS-OS

Triton

Donald McKelvy
Senior Member
Joined
14 August 2009
Messages
9,707
Reaction score
2,492
Website
deeptowild.blogspot.com

Attachments

  • maks15.jpg
    maks15.jpg
    457.7 KB · Views: 382
  • max_osb.gif
    max_osb.gif
    169.6 KB · Views: 350
  • max_os-p.gif
    max_os-p.gif
    141.5 KB · Views: 360
  • max_akk.jpg
    726.2 KB · Views: 281
  • max_osb.jpg
    max_osb.jpg
    469.6 KB · Views: 267
  • maxpaint.jpg
    maxpaint.jpg
    223.5 KB · Views: 152
Additional Molniya MAKS-OS concept artwork and a mock up.
 

Attachments

  • maksp3.jpg
    maksp3.jpg
    48.9 KB · Views: 140
  • maksp2.jpg
    maksp2.jpg
    42 KB · Views: 166
  • maxokb2.jpg
    maxokb2.jpg
    180 KB · Views: 199
  • 4142prt2n.jpg
    4142prt2n.jpg
    397.1 KB · Views: 246
  • 21n.jpg
    21n.jpg
    293.9 KB · Views: 197
How would the "tripropellant" engine have worked? I would assume that the injector plate had two different sets of injectors: one set for kerosene and one set for hydrogen. It would not be an optimized engine, but it helped alleviate a pure hydrogen design's disadvantages (low density & low thrust.)

MAKS struck me as being a pretty realistic spaceplane design, with the airlaunch reducing the drag losses and improving engine efficiency while the drop tank made orbital flight possible w/ realistic mass fractions. But I've read that there were some TPS issues that remained to be solved (the wing leading edges would actually get hotter than those on Shuttle & Buran.) Another big red flag was the approach towards separating the MAKS from the An-225. I'd have a pretty high pucker-factor if I was the An-225 pilot!
 
Triton said:
Can someone give me the Russian for the acronym MAKS-OS?

Mnogotzelevaya Aviatzionno-Kosmicheskaya Sistema - Orbitalny Samolet/Multipurpose Aerospace System - Orbital Plane
'Multipurpose' is a subtle inkling on military use of MAKS
 
flateric said:
Triton said:
Can someone give me the Russian for the acronym MAKS-OS?

Mnogotzelevaya Aviatzionno-Kosmicheskaya Sistema - Orbitalny Samolet/Multipurpose Aerospace System - Orbital Plane
'Multipurpose' is a subtle inkling on military use of MAKS

Thank you very much. ;D
 
Model of aerospace system AN-225/Maks from the USSR-Russian Aviation and Space Collectibles web site.

NOTE: Although seller claims that model is authentic and accurate, the reader should be aware that the authenticity and accuracy of this model is in question It may have been manufactured by another party without license.

14 inches wing span model of joint development of Molniya corporation and Antonov Design Bureau of multipurpose aerospace system MAKS. In this transportation system orbiter starts in air with air breathing launcher.In this project existing world`s largest aircraft An-225 `Mriya` is used as a first stage.Maks shuttle vehicle with fuel tank transported for Air Launch on top of aircraft. Orbiter configuration is based on the experience of development of the space vehicles series SPIRAL, BOR and BURAN, on which significant technological stock is created.
http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_53&products_id=1498

Seller's claim of authenticity:
http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_48&products_id=845
 

Attachments

  • 03151513.jpg
    03151513.jpg
    17.7 KB · Views: 111
  • 03151519.jpg
    03151519.jpg
    49.9 KB · Views: 108
  • 03151526.jpg
    03151526.jpg
    20.7 KB · Views: 91
  • 03151523.jpg
    03151523.jpg
    17.6 KB · Views: 92
Model of An-225 Mriya with unmanned space module with fuel tank from the USSR-Russian Aviation and Space Collectibles web site.

NOTE: Although seller claims that model is authentic and accurate, the reader should be aware that the authenticity and accuracy of this model is in question It may have been manufactured by another party without license.

14 inches wingspan model hand made at Antonov Design Bureau (original producer of An-225 world's largest aircraft).Model issued for project of Air Launch of aerospace system An-225 with unmanned space module with fuel tank to be launched from An-225.
http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_53&products_id=2839

Seller's claim of authenticity:
http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_48&products_id=845
 

Attachments

  • Mriya unmanned block-5.jpg
    Mriya unmanned block-5.jpg
    696.5 KB · Views: 84
  • Mriya unmanned block-4.jpg
    Mriya unmanned block-4.jpg
    94.2 KB · Views: 79
  • Mriya unmanned block-3.jpg
    Mriya unmanned block-3.jpg
    121.4 KB · Views: 86
  • Mriya unmanned block-2.jpg
    Mriya unmanned block-2.jpg
    249.5 KB · Views: 95
  • Mriya unmanned block-1.jpg
    Mriya unmanned block-1.jpg
    185.6 KB · Views: 109
these are not original factory models
 
just don't use term 'original'
 
flateric said:
these are not original factory models

A further warning, some models on that site are more or less inaccurate, or even completely wrong (Mikoyan 701 for example), so please take extreme care to compare them with pictures or drawings from other sources before posting. :)
 
Meteorit said:
flateric said:
these are not original factory models

A further warning, some models on that site are more or less inaccurate, or even completely wrong (Mikoyan 701 for example), so please take extreme care to compare them with pictures or drawings from other sources before posting. :)

It wasn't my intention to spam the forum with inacurate models. I was concerned that because it is a business, that models of unbuilt aviation and space projects would disappear from USSR-Russian Aviation and Space Collectibles as they were sold or that the site might disappear tomorrow. So I have been replying to threads so that we have copies of the models and can go back to the threads years later to find images of them if needed. Does that make sense?

Alex Panchenko makes claims that these model were actually built at the factories and were intended to be shown at trade shows, museums, or as gifts to important persons.
http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_48&products_id=845

If I have posted images of models that are inaccurate, can you please report the post to me or a moderator via PM and we will work to get the images deleted?
 
I'd say regarding Myasishev stuff - Panchenko just used Konstantin Udalov books as source for making outsourcing models. If it was Boeing or Lockheed stuff, Panchenko would be momentally sued for this. Well, recently 'row of eyebrows were rised' (c) Bill Sweetman at EMZ as well on such unlicensed use of Mya designs.

EMZ model shop was never involved in Panchenko's business. So at least his claims regarding Myasichev factory models is lie. Pretty sure that the other model stuff is as 'authentic' as this one. It's like selling these 'hand-sculpted made from environment-friendly and abundant kiln-dried Philippine Mahogany Wood and skillfully handpainted by gifted artists' from ebay telling that this is original Lockheed (Northrop, Boeing) factory models.

No need to remove images, Triton.
 
flateric said:
I'd say regarding Myasishev stuff - Panchenko just used Konstantin Udalov books as source for making outsourcing models. If it was Boeing or Lockheed stuff, Panchenko would be momentally sued for this. Well, recently 'row of eyebrows were rised' (c) Bill Sweetman at EMZ as well on such unlicensed use of Mya designs.

EMZ model shop was never involved in Panchenko's business. So at least his claims regarding Myasichev factory models is lie. Pretty sure that the other model stuff is as 'authentic' as this one. It's like selling these 'hand-sculpted made from environment-friendly and abundant kiln-dried Philippine Mahogany Wood and skillfully handpainted by gifted artists' from ebay telling that this is original Lockheed (Northrop, Boeing) factory models.

No need to remove images, Triton.

Darn it! :( I believed that they had more authenticity and accuracy than models produced at sweatshops in the Phillipines.
 
Triton said:
Darn it! :( I believed that they had more authenticity and accuracy than models produced at sweatshops in the Phillipines.

...If you look on the bottom of each, you'll see the following inscribed:

"Help! I am being held prisoner in a Chinese model crafting sweatshop!"
 
A 1992 article on MAKS translated by the US Joint Publications Research Service (JPRS). There's nothing particularly interesting in this article, other than the emphasis on low-cost space transportation.
 

Attachments

  • maks article.pdf
    530.7 KB · Views: 61
It appears the X-37B launch has triggered some highly speculative rumours about the possibility of MAKS still being developed. There's a report at http://www.spacevidcast.com/2010/04/28/the-old-maks-russian-space-plane-might-be-new-again-2010-04-28/, with a video version below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-snm5HqR2Uc
No idea where the relative transportation costs cited have come from.

As the report suggests it all sounds to me like rather wishful thinking by NPO Molniya. The announcement several years ago of the M-55X + C-21 space tourism development with Space Adventures doesn't appear to have gone anywhere (unless someone on here knows different?!)

Update 30-04-2010: Sorry, I'd completely forgotten that I'd previously seen info about the Space Adventures collaboration effectively ending. I've added the relevant links to the thread on the proposed Myasishchev system.
 
Molniya MAKS-OS Origins

Following some discussion in the ALSV thread, about similarities between US ALSV and Russian spaceplane concepts, I've been trying to find info on the origins of MAKS.

I've not found much very specific on the web, although there is some timeline info in http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/maks.htm. What info I've seen alludes to MAKS growing out of earlier Russian work (eg Spiral) and completed in 1988/9.

However, the excellent Energiya-Buran book (which I've only just obtained :)) does contain rather more background. It says that following on from Sprial, and in parallel with Buran development, NPO Molniya studied various new air-launched systems based on subsonic transport aircraft (to get away from a major Spiral drawback of needing a hypersonic carrier aircraft). The studies described in the book are:

  • 1977 - 1981 Use of Antonov-124 resulting in 'System 49'
  • 1982 Bizan spaceplance (same name also later used for unmanned rocket system in 84-85)
  • Mid 80s plans revised to use more capable An-225 resulting in MAKS

So whatever the influence (if any) of similar US work there does seem to be a natural progression of the various Russian studies going back some years.
 
This Space.com article mentions dusting off the old plans for MAKS. I'd take it with a grain of salt. But here you go, anyway:
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/plans-new-reusable-space-planes-100603.html
 

Attachments

  • maks-config-100603-02.jpg
    maks-config-100603-02.jpg
    54 KB · Views: 806
Hi,

found something interesting, MAKS-related, on the bay. It's a 1990s woodcraft handmade model. Not quite sure it is "original" (from the workshops) but the reason why it looks to me interesting is its mimicking of the Buran Analog test vehicle BTS-02 (also known as OK-GLI). Markings taste like it showcases something experimental. It seems to be genuine, like something you'd put on a desk to help visualize what you need to demo. I'd definitively not trash it out and keep it for further reference.

A.

source link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Soviet-Rusian-Vtg-Gagarin-space-ussr-souvenir-rocket-Buran-Spaceship/122862859072
 

Attachments

  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-09.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-09.jpg
    316.8 KB · Views: 84
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-08.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-08.jpg
    320.3 KB · Views: 80
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-07.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-07.jpg
    72.8 KB · Views: 78
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-06.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-06.jpg
    138.5 KB · Views: 77
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-05.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-05.jpg
    125.3 KB · Views: 71
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-04.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-04.jpg
    153.9 KB · Views: 62
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-03.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-03.jpg
    161.8 KB · Views: 136
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-02.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-02.jpg
    151.3 KB · Views: 133
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-01.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-01.jpg
    171 KB · Views: 127
  • ebay-item_122862859072-2018-00.jpg
    ebay-item_122862859072-2018-00.jpg
    298.4 KB · Views: 183
Hazegrayart said:
The MAKS Spaceplane: Multipurpose aerospace system (Russian: МАКС)
The MAKS (Multipurpose aerospace system) (Russian: МАКС (Многоцелевая авиационно-космическая система)) was a Soviet air-launched reusable launch system project that was proposed in 1988, but cancelled in 1991. An offshoot of the ENERGIA-BURAN program it had two RD-701 rocket tri-propellant engines based on RD-170 engine from the first stage of ENERGIA rocket and using an Antonov An-225 as a mobile launch platform.
Video:
View: https://youtu.be/ywbfCBxZ2uA

Code:
https://youtu.be/ywbfCBxZ2uA
 
This from Reuters:


A full-size model of the plane was presented at a closed pavilion during a Russian military forum last year and the project is now under development, said the general director of the Molniya research-to-production facility.

“The goal has now been set and the development of a multi-use civilian complex with an orbital plane is in full swing,” Olga Sokolova was quoted as saying in comments posted on Molniya’s website.

The head of Russia’s Roscosmos space corporation, Dmitry Rogozin, said in May last year that Moscow was considering developing a piloted spaceplane, adding that the Buran had been ahead of its time.


'Full-sized model presented at a closed pavilion' suggests to me something of a similar scale to MAKS, Dreamchaser or some pre-Orion CEV concepts - or Kliper.

If so, what would this bode for Orel/Orlyonok? That's recently been redesigned.

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/acts.html (Mostly paywalled)
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Please donate to support the forum.

Back
Top Bottom