Retrorockets


Retrorockets are small rocket engines used to slow down or stop the motion of a spacecraft. They are typically used during the descent phase of a mission, such as landing on a planet or returning to Earth. Retrorockets work by expelling a high-velocity stream of gas in the opposite direction of the spacecraft's motion, creating a force that slows it down. They are often used in combination with other types of rockets, such as attitude control thrusters, to precisely control the spacecraft's motion. Retrorockets are critical for ensuring a safe and controlled landing or reentry, and have been used in many historic space missions, including the Apollo moon landings and the Space Shuttle program.


Your Previous Searches
Random Picks

  • Outreach Activities: Outreach activities in space and astronautical engineering refer to the efforts made by individuals or organizations to engage with the public and educate them about space-related topics. These activities can include public lectures, worksh ... Read More >>
  • Communication Resources: Communication resources refer to the various means and methods used to establish and maintain communication between spacecraft and ground stations, as well as between different spacecraft. These resources include but are not limited to ante ... Read More >>
  • Geostationary Telecommunications Satellites: Geostationary Telecommunications Satellites are a type of artificial satellites that orbit the Earth at the same rotational speed as the Earth, maintaining a constant position relative to the Earth's surface. They are positioned in the geos ... Read More >>
Top News

Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...

A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....

News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...

With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...

News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12

Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...

The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...

News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11

Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...

Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...

News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09

Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...

A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....

News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06