1. a rocket engine that produces thrust in a direction opposite to the direction of motion, used to slow down or change the course of a spacecraft or missile
Usage: aerospace

Examples

• The spacecraft fired its retrorockets to begin its descent to the lunar surface.
• Mission control activated the retrorocket system to slow the probe’s approach to Mars.
• The capsule’s retrorockets helped it achieve a safe landing speed.
• Engineers tested the retrorocket engines before the satellite launch.
• The space shuttle used retrorockets to adjust its orbital trajectory.
• Without functioning retrorockets, the lander would crash into the planet’s surface.