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Brian Tompsett gave a detailed explanation of the advantages of the trussing in his answer to the question Why do the Russians use these fence-like interstage fairings?

The gap between Stage II and Stage III in this depiction depicts the interstage trussing.

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Other than the inefficiency in streamlining and drag, are there other disadvantages to the trussing compared to the interstage fairing of the Saturn V? (Fairing-the hollow metal cylinder surrounding nozzles at the bottom of the second stage in the following depiction)

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  • $\begingroup$ I think you answered it yourself: "inefficiency in streamlining and drag" $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Dec 21, 2019 at 14:06
  • $\begingroup$ @OrganicMarble So there are no other disadvantages? $\endgroup$
    – Bob516
    Dec 21, 2019 at 15:04

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'Hot staging' like it is done on Sojus rockets requires the top side of the lower stage to be isolated using a small heat shield, that may slightly reduce payload.

Also, when hot-staging, separation has to be well-timed - too late, and the upper stage cannot ignite as the engines of the lower stage have stopped burning, too early, and the rocket may lose a significant amount of DeltaV.

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