Possibly, but if for example you suspect it of being a space based weapon (one of the Salyuts did actually have a gun attached), and it needs to be recovered du

Possibly, but if for example you suspect it of being a space based weapon (one of the Salyuts did actually have a gun attached), and it needs to be recovered due to threat of a nuclear war... If I were a pilot I'd find the idea of people shooting at me 'unpleasant'. Its an accepted part of being a military pilot though. Plus why are you worried about piddly little thrusters on the way down? You realise what you have to sit on top of to get up there... :P