Infographic: Relationship between speed and altitude for vertical and horizontal landing systems
Infographic: Relationship between speed and altitude for vertical and horizontal landing systems
In the horizontal 'fly-back' approach, the wings of the rocket stage continuously reduce its speed, starting at an altitude of about 60 kilometres (green). In the case of the vertically-entering rocket (blue), engines trigger deceleration in a targeted manner at a similar altitude, which can be seen as an abrupt change in speed in the diagram.
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