3 ms·

In addition, even one engine on the F9 first stage, throttled down to its minimum, generates way too much thrust for the vehicle to do a gentle landing. They ha

In addition, even one engine on the F9 first stage, throttled down to its minimum, generates way too much thrust for the vehicle to do a gentle landing. They have to do a suicide burn --- they fall towards the launchpad unpowered and then at the last possible moment light up the engine, and hope that when they come to a halt they've landed. There is no margin for error. KSP doesn't really have an equivalent, but you can compare it to trying to land on the moon using a solid rocket fuel engine. (The difference with SpaceX is that at least they can turn it off.)

sounds 12y ago
In KSP, I would compare it to landing on Gilly (Eve's moon) with a solid rocket booster. Gilly is the smallest body in the program, so its gravity is so weak you can leave orbit with your space suit's thrusters.
TeMPOraL 12y ago
> KSP doesn't really have an equivalent, but you can compare it to trying to land on the moon using a solid rocket fuel engine. (The difference with SpaceX is that at least they can turn it off.) Minmus suicide burn with a Mainsail could probably compare.