NASA Tests Universal Stage Adapter for Future Space Launch System Missions

A test version of the Space Launch System universal stage adapter has arrived at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center for validation procedures.

The adapter is a critical component that will connect the upgraded exploration upper stage to the Orion spacecraft for the SLS rocket’s advanced Block 1B configuration, NASA said.

The Block 1B variant will make its debut on the Artemis IV mission, significantly boosting SLS payload capacity to over 84,000 lb for a single lunar launch.

At Marshall Space Flight Center, the adapter will undergo rigorous testing, including modal and ultimate load assessments. The tests will ensure it can withstand the extreme forces experienced during launch and flight.

Leidos, the prime contractor, manufactured the adapter prototype at its Decatur, Alabama, facility.

NASA’s Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon, establishing a long-term presence there. The SLS rocket is a cornerstone of the exploration effort, providing the power needed to send the Orion spacecraft, astronauts and vital supplies to the lunar surface.