The first Atlas 5 conical interstage adapter arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 10, and is being inspected by the launch operations team supporting Atlas Missions. Following inspection, the interstage adapter will undergo processing and structural qualification testing.

The adapter was built by Spain’s Construcciones Aeronaticas S.A. (CASA), for Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT]. Lockheed Martin awarded CASA a contract in July 1998 to build conical ISAs to meet production and launch requirements for the Atlas program through 2003.

“We are proud of the successful partnership we have with CASA of Spain and of the important role they play in the success of our Atlas 5 launch vehicle program,” said Thomas Marsh, president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Space Systems.

The adapter’s new design provides the structural transition between the Atlas 5 common core booster and the Centaur upper stage. Machined aluminum rings on each end of the adapter provide the interface between the booster and the upper stage.