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 mised propulsion design. Work began in 1986 but abandoned when the Soviet Union collapsed.

In reaction to US X-30 project, government decrees of 27 January and 19 July 1986 ordered development of a Soviet equivalent. The Ministry of Defense 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 fulfill military objectives in and from space. It is known that the Tupolev, Yakovlev, and Energia design bureaus submitted designs.

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.

Manufacturer: Korolev. LEO Payload: 25,000 kg (55,000 lb). to: 200 km Orbit. at: 51.00 degrees. Associated Spacecraft: VKS. Total Mass: 700,000 kg (1,540,000 lb). Core Diameter: 10.00 m (32.00 ft). Total Length: 71.00 m (232.00 ft).

1986 January 27 - Launch Vehicle: Tu-2000, Yakovlev MVKS, VKS.

• Government decree orders design of a Soviet aerospaceplane Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Tu-2000, Yakovlev MVKS, VKS. In reaction to US X-30 project government decree ordered development of a Soviet equivalent.

• Government decree orders development of a Soviet aerospaceplane Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Tu-2000, Yakovlev MVKS, VKS. The decree of 27 January 1986 was reaffirmed.

• MVKS specification issued Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Tu-2000, Yakovlev MVKS, VKS. 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.

• Semenov, Yu. P., S P Korolev Space Corporation Energia, RKK Energia, 1994. ISBN: 1896522815. Dual English/Russian language picture book of the history of the Energia Corporation. Many unique photos and drawings of Korolev's rockets and spacecraft. Republished by Apogee books in 2000. More at amazon.com...

• Butowski, Piotr, Air Forces Monthly Special, X-Planes, "Black Reds", February 1998, p. 35.