Designing An Adaptor To Connect Rocket Stages

Report describes design of light-weight truss structure to serve as adaptor to connect two rocket stages. Larger stage is Centaur rocket, on which provided eight attachment points arranged in circle. Smaller stage is Thiokol Star 48b rocket, which includes round attachment flange. For mating with attachment flange, design provides for grooved slats at upper ends of struts. Weight of truss structure less than corresponding stiffened conical shell.