The design was conceived in 1978 when Myasishchev was asked to solve the problem of transporting rockets and other large space vehicles to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Engineers used an old 3M (a modified M-4 bomber) and replaced the empennage with dihedrallhorizontal stabilizers having large, rectangular end-plate tailfins to accommodate payloads measuring as large as twice the diameter of the aircraft's fuselage. A large, aerodynamically optimized cargo container, placed on top of the aircraft, would contain the freight. In addition, a new control system was added to the plane to compensate for the added weight.
The Atlant first flew in 1981 and made its first flight with cargo in January 1982.[1] Its main task was to ferry Energia rocket boosters from their development plant to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. On several occasions, the then-incomplete Soviet space shuttle Buran was piggybacked to the Cosmodrome as well.[1]
0GT was the Buran spaceplane without tailplane and equipment, 1GT was the hydrogen tank of the Energia rocket, 2GT was the engine frame and front aerodynamic cover of Energia, and 3GT was the oxygen tank of the Energia. All configurations were equipped with aerodynamic covers to decrease the drag.[2]
Specifications (VM-T)
Data from Jane's aircraft recognition guide 1996,[3] VM-T Atlant's mains characteristics,[4]
General characteristics
Crew: 6
Capacity:
0GT payload container 45,300 kg (99,869 lb) - (38.45 m (126 ft) long, 23.8 m (78 ft) Buran wingspan)[5][6]
1GT payload container 31,500 kg (69,446 lb) - (44.46 m (146 ft) long, 7.78 m (26 ft) diameter)[6]
2GT payload container 30,000 kg (66,139 lb) - (26.41 m (87 ft) long, 7.75 m (25 ft) diameter)[6]
3GT payload container 15,000 kg (33,069 lb) - (16.67 m (55 ft) long, 7.75 m (25 ft) diameter)[6]
