Adapter (rocketry)

Interstage of the UGM-73 Poseidon missile. First stage is on the right, separated second stage - on the left source ↗

In rocketry, an adapter is a hollow cylindrical¹ or conical segment² which provides a sound aerodynamic and structural connection, either between rocket stages (often referred to as an interstage) or between a spacecraft and the top rocket stage (referred to as a payload adapter). It may shroud and protect vulnerable systems such as electrics or machinery of rocket engines/spacecraft from weather or vibrations caused by running engines.³ It is discarded during staging.

Examples of rocket stages featuring an interstage adapter:

Centaur (second stage of several Atlas-based launch vehicles, from Atlas-Centaur to Atlas V).⁴⁵⁶
S-II and S-IVB (second and third stage of the Saturn V).⁷⁸
The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) of SLS Block 1 is connected to the Core Stage with the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter (LVSA).⁹¹⁰

Examples of rocket stages featuring a payload adapter:

(Planned) The Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) of SLS Block 1B/2 is expected to connect large secondary co-manifested payloads using the Universal Stage Adapter (USA).¹¹

References

Smith 2002, p. 2.
Wiley J. Larson; Linda K. Pranke (1999). Human Spaceflight: Mission Analysis and Design. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-236811-6.
"NASA Continues Progress on Artemis III Rocket Adapter with Key Joint Installation - NASA". Retrieved 2024-03-07.
"The Launch of Atlas-Centaur 5". 2 March 2015.
"Centaur - Mission Planners Guide (NASA CR-154970)" (PDF). General Dynamics Convair Aerospace Division. 1 August 1971. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 January 2022.
"Atlas Launch System Mission Planner's Guide, Atlas V Addendum (AVMPG)" (PDF). Lockheed Martin. 1 December 1999.
McCutcheon, Kimble D. (3 August 2022). "U.S. Manned Rocket Propulsion Evolution Part 8.20: The Saturn V S-II".
McCutcheon, Kimble D. (3 August 2022). "U.S. Manned Rocket Propulsion Evolution Part 8.30: The Saturn S-IVB Stage".
"NASA's Space Launch System Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter Ready for Thermal Insulation Application". 30 August 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
"NASA Completes Weld of Rocket Adapter for First Artemis Launch with Crew - NASA". 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
"Universal Stage Adapter (USA)". Retrieved 14 September 2022.

Sources

Smith, John (2002-07-07). Evolved Composite Structures for Atlas V. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/6.2002-4201.

[FOOTNOTESmith20022-1] Smith 2002, p. 2.

[LarsonPranke1999-2] Wiley J. Larson; Linda K. Pranke (1999). Human Spaceflight: Mission Analysis and Design. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-236811-6.

[3] "NASA Continues Progress on Artemis III Rocket Adapter with Key Joint Installation - NASA". Retrieved 2024-03-07.

[4] "The Launch of Atlas-Centaur 5". 2 March 2015.

[5] "Centaur - Mission Planners Guide (NASA CR-154970)" (PDF). General Dynamics Convair Aerospace Division. 1 August 1971. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 January 2022.

[6] "Atlas Launch System Mission Planner's Guide, Atlas V Addendum (AVMPG)" (PDF). Lockheed Martin. 1 December 1999.

[7] McCutcheon, Kimble D. (3 August 2022). "U.S. Manned Rocket Propulsion Evolution Part 8.20: The Saturn V S-II".

[8] McCutcheon, Kimble D. (3 August 2022). "U.S. Manned Rocket Propulsion Evolution Part 8.30: The Saturn S-IVB Stage".

[9] "NASA's Space Launch System Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter Ready for Thermal Insulation Application". 30 August 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

[10] "NASA Completes Weld of Rocket Adapter for First Artemis Launch with Crew - NASA". 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2024-03-07.

[11] "Universal Stage Adapter (USA)". Retrieved 14 September 2022.

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