Retrorocket

There is no atmosphere where parachutes can be used, so it has to retrorocket all the way down. ❋ Unknown (2009)

"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. ❋ Unknown (2008)

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. ❋ Unknown (2007)

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. ❋ Astronaut Mike Mullane (2006)

Thus . . . the transporter, which eliminated any need for the goofy retrorocket landings, was born. ❋ William Shatner (2002)

At that time Claggett would send a radio signal which would activate a small retrorocket in each satellite, causing it to drop dutifully into its assigned position around the Moon. ❋ Michener, James (1982)

The 27-year-old cosmonaut's mission lasted just 108 minutes and was fraught with drama: a break in data transmission, glitches involving antennas, a retrorocket and the separation of modules. ❋ The Huffington Post News Editors (2011)

On re-entry, a glitch involving a retrorocket made the ship rotate swiftly, and the landing capsule was slow to jettison the service module. ❋ The Huffington Post News Editors (2011)