UPPER STAGE Definition & Meaning

upper stage

[ uhp-er steyj ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Rocketry.

in a two-stage or multistage rocket, a secondary stage that is activated after the primary or lowest stage has fallen away, and that propels the spacecraft or other payload into orbit or on its intended interplanetary trajectory.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of upper stage¹

First recorded 1955–60

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

SpaceX later confirmed the upper stage had undergone "rapid unscheduled disassembly".

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The rocket's upper stage dramatically broke up and disintegrated over the Caribbean after launching from Texas on Thursday, forcing airline flights to alter course to avoid falling debris.

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Officials at Elon Musk's company said the upper stage was lost after problems developed after lift-off from Texas on Thursday.

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The Starship upper stage separated from its Super Heavy booster nearly four minutes into flight as planned.

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"The most plausible object it could be is the upper stage separation ring from an Ariane rocket in 2008," its launch director, Matt Archer, said.

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