MAKS (spacecraft)

The MAKS (Multipurpose aerospace system) (Russian: МАКС (Многоцелевая авиационно-космическая система)) is a Soviet air-launched orbiter reusable launch system project that was proposed in 1988, but cancelled in 1991. The orbiter was supposed to reduce the cost of transporting materials to Earth orbit by a factor of ten. The reusable orbiter and its external expendable fuel tank would have been launched by an Antonov AN-225 airplane, developed by Antonov ASTC (Kyiv, Ukraine). Had it been built, the system would have weighed 275 metric tons (271 long tons; 303 short tons) and been capable of carrying a 7-metric-ton (6.9-long-ton; 7.7-short-ton) payload.[1]

MAKS
Country of originSoviet Union
OperatorSoviet space program
ApplicationsTransport to low Earth orbit and back
Specifications
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Production
StatusCanceled, 1991
LaunchedNone

Three variants of the MAKS system were conceived: MAKS-OS, the standard configuration; MAKS-T, with upgraded payload capability; and MAKS-M, a version that included its fuel tank within the envelope of the orbiter.[2]

As of June 2010, Russia was considering reviving the MAKS program.[3] In Ukraine this project has developed into other air-launched orbiter projects, such as Svityaz and Oril.

See also

References
  1. "Maks Air Launch System". Aerospaceguide.net. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  2. Lukashevich, Vadim (2005). "Multipurpose Aerospace System (MAKS)". Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  3. Hsu, Jeremy (3 June 2010). "High-Tech Space Planes Taking Shape in Italy, Russia". Space.com. Retrieved 22 December 2010.


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