MS-1 program axed?

[Vahe Demirjian]

For pictures relating to the MS-1 spaceplane program.....

https://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE450s/fall03/osp-msp/verderame-msp-1999-phillips.pdf (dated October 27, 1999)

The design architecture of the various MS-1 proposals draws up on the X-33, X-37, and X-38 programs, and it's important to note that Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Orbital Sciences appear to have submitted proposals for the SMV portion of the MS-1 competition. Given the amount of time that has passed since the MS-1 designation was assigned and the fact that the end-goal of the X-37B remains classified, is it possible that the Air Force deferred choosing a final contractor for the MS-1 due to the failure of the X-33 program and delays in the X-37 program?

 

[Matej]

The design architecture of the various MS-1 proposals draws up on the X-33, X-37, and X-38 programs,

MS-1 was unrelated to X-38 (other than it was also spacecraft).

and it's important to note that Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Orbital Sciences appear to have submitted proposals for the SMV portion of the MS-1

They did, however the expected winner was known from the beginning - Rockwell (Boeing) ReFly.

Given the amount of time that has passed since the MS-1 designation was assigned and the fact that the end-goal of the X-37B remains classified, is it possible that the Air Force deferred choosing a final contractor for the MS-1 due to the failure of the X-33 program and delays in the X-37 program?

MS-1 is a dead case for a long time. Even if it exists, what should be it's purpose? First possible payload - X-37B - is a pure experimental demonstrator and second possible payload - essentially CAV - failed in all its forms (X-41, HTV series...). This also means that if there be any serial production version of X-37, it will not be responsible spacecraft, because it simply does not have any suitable launcher.