NASA astronaut photographs SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn capsule reentry from ISS (photo)

Aug 5, 2021
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Why can't the Dragon use the Super Draco rockets on the sides of the capsule to effect a ground landing assisting the parachutes?
A "propulsive" landing was considered in the beginning for the Dragon capsule, but as development of the capsule evolved it became clearer that a parachute landing system was safer and more versatile. The "Super Draco" rockets are still in place, but are used primarily as a launch escape system should something bad/unexpected happen with the Falcon launch system.
 
Sep 5, 2024
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Thanks. I knew they had decided not to use the Dracos for a propulsive landing, but couldn't they use them in the same way the Russians have the "retro-rocket" on the Soyuz that goes off right before the landing, in addition to the parachutes?
 

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