Adapter (rocketry)

In rocketry, an adapter is a hollow cylindrical^[1] or conical segment^[2] which provides a sound aerodynamic and structural connection, either between rocket stages (oftern 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 noise 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)^[4]^[5]^[6]
S-II and S-IVB (second and third stage of the Saturn V)^[7]^[8]
The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) of SLS Block 1 is connected to the Core Stage with the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter (LVSA)^[9]^[10]

Examples of rocket stages featuring a payload adapter:

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

^ 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.

[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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