The descent _was_ slower. This was a launch to low earth orbit, as opposed to the geosynchronous launches we've seen recently. Geosynchronous launches require t

The descent _was_ slower. This was a launch to low earth orbit, as opposed to the geosynchronous launches we've seen recently. Geosynchronous launches require the first stage to be going a lot faster by the time it separates (thus requiring the three-engine landing burn).