Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A rocket engine used to retard, arrest, or reverse the motion of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, missile, or spacecraft.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A small
rocket engine on a larger rocket orspacecraft designed toslow orreverse itsmotion .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a small rocket engine on a larger rocket or spacecraft that is fired to slow or alter its course
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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There is no atmosphere where parachutes can be used, so it has to retrorocket all the way down.
Europa Capable of Supporting Life, Scientist Says | Universe Today 2009
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"We could very well be seeing rock, or we could be seeing exposed ice in the retrorocket blast zone," said Ray Arvidson of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., co-investigator for the robotic arm.
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"We could very well be seeing rock, or we could be seeing exposed ice in the retrorocket blast zone," said Ray Arvidson of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., co-investigator for the robotic arm.
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Aug. 20, 1960:After a day in orbit Sputnik 5fires its retrorocket, and when it lands safely, two dogs inside, Strelka and Belka, become the first living creatures to return to Earth from space.
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Without giving him an explanation, they had instructed Glenn not to jettison his retrorocket pack in hopes its retention would help keep a loose heat shield in place.
Riding Rockets Astronaut Mike Mullane 2006
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Without giving him an explanation, they had instructed Glenn not to jettison his retrorocket pack in hopes its retention would help keep a loose heat shield in place.
Riding Rockets Astronaut Mike Mullane 2006
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Without giving him an explanation, they had instructed Glenn not to jettison his retrorocket pack in hopes its retention would help keep a loose heat shield in place.
Riding Rockets Astronaut Mike Mullane 2006
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Without giving him an explanation, they had instructed Glenn not to jettison his retrorocket pack in hopes its retention would help keep a loose heat shield in place.
Riding Rockets Astronaut Mike Mullane 2006
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Thus . . . the transporter, which eliminated any need for the goofy retrorocket landings, was born.
I’m Working on That William Shatner 2002
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Thus . . . the transporter, which eliminated any need for the goofy retrorocket landings, was born.
I’m Working on That William Shatner 2002
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