retrorocket
Sign in to saveright|thumb|Descent of a Martian lander halted by retrorockets (computer-generated impression) thumb|Soyuz (spacecraft)|Soyuz space capsule retro-rockets cushion the landing impact A retrorocket (short for retrograde rocket) is a rocket engine providing thrust opposing the motion of a vehicle, thereby causing it to decelerate. They have mostly been used in spacecraft, with more limited use in short-runway aircraft landing. New uses are emerging since 2010 for retro-thrust rockets in reusable launch systems.
~6 min read
Encyclopedic overview
12 sectionsContents
- History
- Uses
- Deorbit maneuvers
- Project Mercury
- Project Gemini
- Apollo program
- Space Shuttle program
- Launch vehicle staging
- Landers
- Reusable launch systems
- Operation Credible Sport
- References
right|thumb|Descent of a Martian lander halted by retrorockets (computer-generated impression) thumb|Soyuz (spacecraft)|Soyuz space capsule retro-rockets cushion the landing impact A retrorocket (short for retrograde rocket) is a rocket engine providing thrust opposing the motion of a vehicle, thereby causing it to decelerate. They have mostly been used in spacecraft, with more limited use in short-runway aircraft landing. New uses are emerging since 2010 for retro-thrust rockets in reusable launch systems.
==History== Rockets were fitted to the nose of some models of the DFS 230, a World War II German Military glider. This enabled the aircraft to land in more confined areas than would otherwise be possible during an airborne assault.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “retrorocket” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.