MVKS
Stage · Russia
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
RKK Energia's proposed solution to the Soviet government's MVKS requirement for a single-stage-to-orbit reusable aerospaceplane system was this 700-metric-ton, turboramjet/rocket propulsion design. Work began in 1986 but abandoned when the Soviet Union collapsed.
At NPO Energia Tsybin was appointed the Chief Designer for the project. The Energia VKS was designed as a hypersonic rocketplane with multi-regime engines. These engines were turbo-ramjet with in-line rocket chambers. The VKS was sketched out as having a 700 metric ton takeoff mass, of which 140 metric tons was structure. A 25 metric ton payload could be delivered to a 200 km / 51 degree orbit. Length would have been 71 m, wingspan 42 m, and height 10 m to the top of the fuselage.
Work was abandoned as the Soviet Union broke up. In any case the Tupolev Tu-2000 seemed the preferred solution and had been funded for development of a subscale prototype.
Related
- Family
- orbital launch vehicle, Spaceplane, SSTO, Winged
- Country
- Russia
- Spacecraft
- MVKS
- Agency
- Korolev bureau
Chronology
3 events
1986 January 27
LV Family: MVKS. Launch Vehicle: Tu-2000, Yakovlev MVKS.- Government decree orders design of a Soviet aerospaceplane - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: Tu-2000, VKS, Yakovlev MVKS. In reaction to US X-30 project government decree ordered development of a Soviet equivalent..
1986 July 19
LV Family: MVKS. Launch Vehicle: Tu-2000, Yakovlev MVKS.- Government decree orders development of a Soviet aerospaceplane - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: Tu-2000, VKS, Yakovlev MVKS. The decree of 27 January 1986 was reaffirmed..
1986 September
LV Family: MVKS. Launch Vehicle: Tu-2000, Yakovlev MVKS.- MVKS specification issued - .
Nation: Russia.
Spacecraft: Tu-2000,
VKS,
Yakovlev MVKS.
The Ministry of Defence issued technical specifications on 1 September for an MVKS, a single-stage reusable aerospaceplane system. The MKVS was to provide effective and economic delivery to near-earth orbit; develop the technology for effective transatmospheric flight; provide super high-speed intercontinental transport, and fulfil military objectives in and from space.