deployment articles
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?