Editing Retrorocket (section)

===Reusable launch systems===
New uses for retro-thrust rockets emerged since 2010 for [[reusable launch system]]s. After [[second stage]] separation, the first stage of [[SpaceX]]'s [[Falcon 9]] and [[Falcon Heavy]] rockets uses one to three of the [[Merlin 1D|main engines]] in order to decelerate for [[propulsive landing]]. The first stage is then recovered, refurbished and prepared for the next flight.  The boosters of other orbital rockets are routinely destroyed after a single use by [[atmospheric reentry]] and high-speed impact in the ocean. Companies like [[Blue Origin]] with their [[New Glenn]], [[Link Space]] with their [[LinkSpace#New_Line_1|New Line 1]] and national projects like [[the European Commission]]'s RETALT project and the [[China National Space Administration]]'s [[Long March (rocket family)#Long_March_8|Long March 8]] are also pursuing retro-thrust re-entry for reusable boosters.<ref>{{cite web |title=RETALT project |url=https://www.retalt.eu/project/ |website=retalt.eu|date=11 February 2018 |access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eric |first1=Berger |author-link=Eric Berger (meteorologist) |title=Europe says SpaceX "dominating" launch, vows to develop Falcon 9-like rocket |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/06/europe-says-spacex-dominating-launch-vows-to-develop-falcon-9-like-rocket/ |access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref>

[[New Shepard]] is a reusable single-stage suborbital rocket where the booster uses its main engine to land again after a flight. The capsule slows its descent with parachutes and uses retrorockets to slow down just before reaching the ground.

SpaceX's [[SpaceX Starship|Starship]] launch vehicle recovers its [[SpaceX Super Heavy|Super Heavy]] booster in a similar manner to Falcon 9, lighting thirteen engines, before shutting down ten of these engines for the final descent.<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC87WmFN_As |title=🔴 LIVE: SpaceX Launches Starship for the Fifth Time (and Tries to Catch a Booster) |date=2024-10-11 |last=NASASpaceflight |access-date=2024-10-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The second stage, after reentry, lights its three inner engines and descends to either a splashdown or a catch.<ref name=":0" />