upper stage

American  

[uhp-er steyj] / ˈʌp ər ˈsteɪdʒ /

noun

Rocketry.

1. 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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Etymology

Origin of upper stage

First recorded 1955–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

upper stage

The concept combines the reusable winged booster from DLR's long running SpaceLiner program with an expendable upper stage.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

Around six minutes after separating from the rocket's upper stage, its booster returned to Earth vertically and was recovered on a floating platform.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

The company did not intend to recover either the booster or the upper stage, and the final splashdown was fiery but controlled, as planned.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

It’s the 12th Starship test, and will debut version three of the Starship, which stands some 408 feet tall, with the booster and upper stage stacked on top of one another.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

Built of white limestone and pink Aswan granite, the Pharos had a tripartite structure based on a vaguely Pythagorean geometric theme, with a square-sided base, octagonal middle, and circular upper stage.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro