If a booster is not intended for reuse, when might it still be commanded to de-orbit quickly rather than coasting?
Answer
If it is targeting a high-energy transfer orbit that makes recovery too costly in fuel.
If the mission profile dictates a trajectory that burns too much fuel for the booster to carry the necessary recovery propellant (such as a high-energy transfer orbit), the stage is typically commanded to de-orbit quickly over remote areas to avoid creating long-term debris.
#Videos
Here's what happens when rockets launch into space - YouTube
What Happens To Discarded Rocket Boosters And Old Satellites?
Related Questions
What follows the Main Engine Cutoff (MECO) of the first stage?What is the primary purpose of the re-entry burn executed by a reusable booster?For older or simpler expendable rockets, what is the typical fate of the spent first stage?Which stage is characterized as the 'precision instrument' responsible for achieving orbital velocity?What maneuver must an upper stage typically perform when placing a payload into Geostationary Orbit (GEO)?What environmental concern is associated with soot particles injected into the upper atmosphere by rocket exhaust?What is the economic benefit realized by using partially reusable launch systems?Why is leaving a defunct upper stage in a marginally stable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) considered a significant operational risk?If a booster is not intended for reuse, when might it still be commanded to de-orbit quickly rather than coasting?What primary factor currently dictates the decision of what happens to rocket components post-separation?