The six-engine aircraft was originally designed for the Soviet Space Program, as it was large enough to carry rocket boosters and the Buran space shuttle, which it transported from the landing site to the launch complex.
The Antonov now serves as a cargo plane with a maximum take-off weight of greater than 600t. The take off weight is the figure that classes the plane as the world’s largest aircraft. The ‘Hughes Hercules’ also known as the ‘Spruce Goose’ had a larger wingspan and height but it was shorter and lighter than the Antonov.
Goose Bay Airport Corporation manager Goronwy Price said the plane was carrying a heavy load when it made the stop in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to refuel. The aircraft filled up with 84,000 litres of fuel—the equivalent of four truck loads—of a total fuel capacity of 450,000 litres, or more than 21 truckloads. This aircraft is the only one of it’s kind currently in operation.
The name of the aircraft is Mriya, which is the Ukrainian word for ‘dream.’
