That time that the #USSR wanted #Ukraine #Antonov to make a twin-fuselage #An225 #Mriya, because apparently the Mriya wasn't big enough already... ;)
Powerplant: 18 D-18T turbofan engines.
Takeoff weight: 1650 tonnes, of which 700 tonnes would be the spacecraft tucked under the central wing.
Wingspan: 153m
Wheelbase: 40m
@nafnlaus why not just screw it on top like STS was?
@falken The single-fuselage Mriya had to use the top-mounted configuration, for a far lighter payload. Only transport, not launch (aka loaded with huge amounts of propellant)
@falken
* Vastly greater carrying capacity with the extra engines and wing area
* Easier separation (down and away)
* On the top = compressive loads that you have to reinforce against, vs. tensile (much simpler)
* The wing directly overhead is providing part of the lift, aka less force that needs to be transferred across the body
* Easier to mount
* Easier use for commercial payload hauling when not needed for spacecraft - could just pick up a pre-loaded pod with ease/fast turnaround