Inrocketry, anadapter is a hollowcylindrical[1] or conical segment[2] which provides a soundaerodynamic and structural connection, either betweenrocket stages (oftern referred to as aninterstage) or between aspacecraft and the top rocket stage (referred to as apayload adapter). It may shroud and protect vulnerable systems such as electrics or machinery ofrocket engines/spacecraft from weather or noise caused by running engines.[3] It is discarded duringstaging.
Examples of rocket stages featuring an interstage adapter:
Examples of rocket stages featuring apayload adapter:
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