Quote:
Originally Posted by danlisa
Which brings me to another question, why did NASA decide to develop a 'free fall' re-entry craft. Surely (while costly on fuel) a powered decent minimises the requirement for a fixed re-entry angle and the frictional heat generated on the craft.
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Using a powered decent system would increase the complexity, size, and weight of the vehicle. The weight is a major factor. Every bit of the spacecraft that comes down must have first been lifted to space. Why go to the effort of lifting a powered decent system if you can get away with not using one? You can use the weight saved for other payload of equipment.