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

Starship stands some 408 feet tall, with the booster and upper stage stacked on top of one another.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

After Orion separates from the upper stage, it will conduct what is called a translunar injection—the engine firing that commits Orion to soaring out to the moon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

In March, Nasa had to roll it back to the assembly building after an interruption in the flow of helium to the upper stage was detected during a fuelling test.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

In the early hours of February 19, 2025, the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket was tumbling back to Earth when it exploded into a fireball that made headlines from the UK to Poland.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 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