09. For future space tourism, will the landing be powered or will we come in like a glider? (A K2S Question)

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I would think that in the near future re-entry of space vehicles will primarily be unpowered after the deorbit burn, because it eliminates a variable and it is simpler. There is a trade, of course, because it greatly reduces your options and flexibility. Future vehicles will probably have the capability of providing some sort of propulsive thrust in case there is a problem making the runway or in case the landing location needs to be changed after deorbit.

Answer provided by Col. USAF (Ret.) Frederick D. Gregory


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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