Adapter (rocketry)

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Interstage of the UGM-73 Poseidon missile. First stage is on the right, separated second stage - on the left Interstage of the Poseidon C-3 missile.jpg
Interstage of the UGM-73 Poseidon missile. First stage is on the right, separated second stage - on the left

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:

Examples of rocket stages featuring a payload adapter:

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">S-IVB</span> Third stage on the Saturn V and second stage on the Saturn IB

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">AS-201</span> 1966 uncrewed, suborbital test flight within the Apollo program

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">AS-203</span> Uncrewed flight of the Saturn IB rocket, July 5, 1966

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References

  1. Smith 2002, p. 2.
  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.

Sources