{"id":635608,"date":"2024-03-21T17:19:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T21:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=635608"},"modified":"2024-03-21T17:19:37","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T21:19:37","slug":"payload-adapter-testing-a-key-step-for-artemis-iv-rockets-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/marshall\/payload-adapter-testing-a-key-step-for-artemis-iv-rockets-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Payload Adapter Testing: A Key Step for Artemis IV Rocket\u2019s Success"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Key adapters for the first crewed Artemis missions are manufactured at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The cone-shaped payload adapter, left, will debut on the Block 1B configuration of the SLS rocket beginning with Artemis IV, while the Orion stage adapters, right, will be used for Artemis II and Artemis III.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Key adapters for the first crewed Artemis missions are manufactured at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The cone-shaped payload adapter, left, will debut on the Block 1B configuration of the SLS rocket beginning with Artemis IV, while the Orion stage adapters, right, will be used for Artemis II and Artemis III. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Sam Lott<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>A test version of the <a href=\"http:\/\/nasa.gov\/sls\" rel=\"noopener\">SLS (Space Launch System<\/a>) rocket\u2019s payload adapter is ready for evaluation, marking a critical milestone on the journey to the hardware\u2019s debut on NASA\u2019s Artemis IV mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Comprised of two metal rings and eight composite panels, the cone-shaped payload adapter will be part of the SLS <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/general\/nasa-expanding-lunar-exploration-with-upgraded-sls-mega-rocket-design\/\">Block 1B configuration<\/a> and housed inside the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/evolved-adapter-for-future-nasa-sls-flights-readied-for-testing\/\">universal stage adapter<\/a> atop the rocket\u2019s more powerful in-space stage, called the exploration upper stage. The payload adapter is an evolution from the Orion stage adapter used in the Block 1 configuration of the first three Artemis missions that sits at the topmost portion of the rocket and helps connect the rocket and spacecraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLike the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/artemis-ii-crew-signs-nasa-moon-rocket-hardware-at-marshall\/\">Orion stage adapter<\/a> and the launch vehicle stage adapter used for the first three SLS flights, the payload adapter for the evolved SLS Block 1B configuration is fully manufactured and tested at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama,\u201d said Casey Wolfe, assistant branch chief for the advanced manufacturing branch at Marshall. \u201cMarshall\u2019s automated fiber placement and large-scale integration facilities provide our teams the ability to build composite hardware elements for multiple Artemis missions in parallel, allowing for cost and schedule savings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-image-carousel grid-container grid-container-block padding-top-8 padding-bottom-8 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-carousel\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image-carousel-slider margin-0\" id=\"image-carousel-slider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=1024,769 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=1536,1153 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=900,675 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=1200,901 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/dsc01640-2048x1537-1.jpg?resize=2000,1501 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.02); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg 2796w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=300,165 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=768,422 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=1024,563 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=1536,844 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=2048,1126 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=400,220 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=600,330 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=900,495 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=1200,660 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-12-2796x1537-1.jpg?resize=2000,1099 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg 1537w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-8-1537x1537-1.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg 4240w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/nasa-msfc-031324-pla-move-test-stand-install-1.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Teams at Marshall manufactured, prepared, and move the payload adapter test article. The payload adapter will undergo testing in the same test stand that once housed the SLS liquid oxygen tank structural test article. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex margin-left-auto margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M3.5,4.5l3.7-3.6L6.3,0L1.8,4.5L6.3,9l0.9-0.9L3.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M5.5,4.5L1.8,8.1L2.7,9l4.5-4.5L2.7,0L1.8,0.9L5.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>At about 8.5 feet tall, the payload adapter\u2019s eight composite sandwich panels, which measure about 12 feet each in length, contain a metallic honeycomb-style structure at their thickest point but taper to a single carbon fiber layer at each end. The panels are pieced together using a high-precision process called determinant assembly, in which each component is designed to fit securely in a specific place, like puzzle pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After manufacturing, the payload adapter will also be structurally tested at Marshall, which manages the SLS Program. The first structural test series begins this spring. Test teams will use the engineering development unit \u2013 an exact replica of the flight version of the hardware \u2013 to check the structure\u2019s strength and durability by twisting, shaking, and applying extreme pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While every <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/sls-block-1-crew-block-1b-crew-block-1b-cargo-block-2-cargo-evolution\/\">Block 1B configuration<\/a> of the SLS rocket will use a payload adapter, each will be customized to fit the mission\u2019s needs. The determinant assembly method and digital tooling ensure a more efficient and uniform manufacturing process, regardless of the mission profile, to ensure hardware remains on schedule. Data from this test series will further inform design and manufacturing processes as teams begin manufacturing the qualification and flight hardware for Artemis IV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA is working to land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon under Artemis. SLS is part of NASA\u2019s backbone for deep space exploration, along with the Orion spacecraft and Gateway in orbit around the Moon and commercial human landing systems, next-generational spacesuits, and rovers on the lunar surface. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>News Media Contact<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Corinne Beckinger<br>Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.<br>256.544.0034<br><a href=\"mailto:corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov\">corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A test version of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket\u2019s payload adapter is ready for evaluation, marking a critical milestone on the journey to the hardware\u2019s debut on NASA\u2019s Artemis IV mission. Comprised of two metal rings and eight composite panels, the cone-shaped payload adapter will be part of the SLS Block 1B configuration and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":635634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2864,2681,2920,2656,3784],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3939,10645,4984,3919,3942],"coauthors":[8391],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Payload Adapter Testing: A Key Step for Artemis IV Rocket\u2019s Success","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/marshall\/payload-adapter-testing-a-key-step-for-artemis-iv-rockets-success\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/marshall\/payload-adapter-testing-a-key-step-for-artemis-iv-rockets-success\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lee Mohon"}],"creator":["Lee Mohon"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate","Common Exploration Systems Development Division","Space Launch System (SLS)","Marshall Space Flight Center","Artemis","Artemis 4","Humans in Space"],"dateCreated":"2024-03-21T21:19:35Z","datePublished":"2024-03-21T21:19:35Z","dateModified":"2024-03-21T21:19:37Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Payload Adapter Testing: A Key Step for Artemis IV Rocket\u2019s Success\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/marshall\/payload-adapter-testing-a-key-step-for-artemis-iv-rockets-success\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-03-21T21:19:35Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate,Common Exploration Systems Development Division,Space Launch System (SLS),Marshall Space Flight Center,Artemis,Artemis 4,Humans in Space\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Lee Mohon\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":3,"time_ago":"3 months","featured_image":{"id":635634,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/msfc-01302024-bldg-4708-pla-install-wide-angle-4833.jpg","title":"Payload Adapter Testing: A Key Step for Artemis IV Rocket\u2019s Success","alt":"Key adapters for the first crewed Artemis missions are manufactured at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The cone-shaped payload adapter, left, will debut on the Block 1B configuration of the SLS rocket beginning with Artemis IV, while the Orion stage adapters, right, will be used for Artemis II and Artemis III.","caption":"Key adapters for the first crewed Artemis missions are manufactured at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The cone-shaped payload adapter, left, will debut on the Block 1B configuration of the SLS rocket beginning with Artemis IV, while the Orion stage adapters, right, will be used for Artemis II and Artemis III. 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