Molniya MAKS-OS

Triton · 13 April 2009

NPO Molniya MAKS-OS minishuttle air-launched from Antonov An-225 Mriya:

http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=us&lp=ru_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.buran.ru%2fhtm%2fmaxmain.htm
http://www.astronautix.com/craft/makbiter.htm
http://www.buran.ru/htm/molniya6.htm
http://www.boris-lux.de/04_types/62_sc/sp_ru/53_mak/maos.php

Can someone give me the Russian for the acronym MAKS-OS?

Triton · 13 April 2009

Additional Molniya MAKS-OS concept artwork and a mock up.

CFE · 14 April 2009

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!

flateric · 14 April 2009

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

Triton · 14 April 2009

flateric said:
Triton said:

Can someone give me the Russian for the acronym MAKS-OS?

Click to expand...

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

Triton · 19 August 2009

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

Triton · 19 August 2009

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

flateric · 19 August 2009

these are not original factory models

Triton · 19 August 2009

flateric said:
these are not original factory models

No? Bogus knock offs? Delete the images I have posted?

flateric · 19 August 2009

just don't use term 'original'

Tuomasn · 20 August 2009

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.

Triton · 20 August 2009

Meteorit said:
flateric said:

these are not original factory models

Click to expand...

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?

flateric · 20 August 2009

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.

Triton · 20 August 2009

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.

OM · 22 August 2009

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!"

blackstar · 11 February 2010

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.

FutureSpaceTourist · 29 April 2010

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.

FutureSpaceTourist · 29 April 2010

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.

XP67_Moonbat · 4 June 2010

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

antigravite · 13 January 2018

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

fightingirish · 31 August 2020

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

hesham · 13 December 2020

From L+K 20/1995.

Rhinocrates · 25 March 2021

This from Reuters:

Russia has begun spaceplane project, says Soviet shuttle designer

Russia is developing a reusable spaceplane, a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov conglomerate said on Wednesday, in Russia's first such project since the late Soviet Union's ill-fated Buran space shuttle.

www.reuters.com

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)

Molniya MAKS-OS

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