1. to fire a rocket engine in the direction opposite to the direction of travel in order to slow down or change course
Usage: aerospace

1. the firing of a rocket engine in the direction opposite to the direction of travel
Usage: aerospace

Examples

• The spacecraft will retrofire its engines to begin descent to the planet’s surface.
• Mission control initiated the retrofire sequence to slow the capsule for reentry.
• The retrofire burn lasted exactly 45 seconds as planned.
• Without a successful retrofire, the probe would have missed its target orbit.
• The astronauts prepared for retrofire by securing all loose equipment.
• A malfunction prevented the automatic retrofire from occurring on schedule.