NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has completed the Orion stage adapter, a crucial component of the Artemis II crewed moon mission. The adapter will be transported to Florida and stacked atop the Space Launch System rocket for launch next year.
The 5-foot tall, ring-shaped structure protects the Orion spacecraft from gases that can escape during launch. It’s also designed to carry four small CubeSats into space, with potential capacity for up to 17 satellites.
Years of hard work at MSFC culminate in this achievement, according to officials. “It’s a sense of accomplishment,” said Monique Wallace, OSA deputy lead. The adapter will be integrated into the vehicle stack and is considered a Marshall product for SLS.
The adapter features spring-loaded metal boxes that will open after launch and propel the satellites into space. This technology was developed using friction-stir welding, a preferred method in aerospace applications.
The Orion stage adapter marks a significant milestone in NASA’s exploration of deep space. With this component complete, the agency is one step closer to sending humans back to the moon by 2025.
Source: https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/15/huntsville-orion-stage-adapter-artemis-ii-launch-nasa