4 ms·
I'd have thought[1] (post reentry) initial parachutes/streamers, either released or retracted, with a retro-engine landing. Could be that the weight savings in
by shabble 13y ago
I'd have thought[1] (post reentry) initial parachutes/streamers, either released or retracted, with a retro-engine landing.
Could be that the weight savings in fuel aren't enough for that choice, or that there are other good reasons not to (added complexity, potential non-reusable components)
[1] Although, aeronautics is famously non-intuitive, so ymmv.
- rbanffy 13y agoI believe they considered parachutes and came to the conclusion that, since they are keeping the rocket engines, extra fuel and oxidizer are a better use for the mass. Parachutes large enough for slowing down the first stage along with the pyros needed to deploy them are heavy.