Orion won’t be the only payload launching on NASA’s new rocket – it will also be carrying many small satellites.
Called CubeSats, thirteen of these satellites, each about the size of a shoebox, will travel into deep space on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The CubeSats will contribute to future deep space exploration for humans.
Where on this big rocket will the small satellites be stored? Inside what’s called the Orion stage adapter. The precision machining stage for the Orion stage adapter is about to begin.
The Orion stage adapter connects the human-rated spacecraft, Orion, to the stage that will power the spacecraft beyond the moon. This is known as the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS). What powers the ICPS? One RL-10 engine, and it uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
How will it be built? The top surface will be made flat and drilled with holes for bolts to attach the stage adapter to the rest of the rocket. The other side of the stage adapter will experience the same process after being flipped over. After being inspected, the top and bottom of the stage will be coated to improve corrosion resistance.
The Orion spacecraft is a crew vehicle that will travel farther into space than any spacecraft for humans has ever gone. On this first integrated launch with SLS, Orion will travel thousands of miles past the moon before returning to Earth.
Ushering in a new era of deep space exploration, Space Launch System is designed to be evolvable to enable new mission possibilities. Future configurations of the launch vehicle will have a large exploration upper stage for human and robotic missions to further explore our solar system.
Learn more about NASA’s new launch vehicle at NASA.gov.