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RedDevil · 02-07-2018, 04:15 PM

I was wondering if instead of wasting fuel on re-entry and landing it would be possible to slow down and maneuver the booster rockets towards their landing zone using the Magnus effect, e.g. by making them spin horizontally around their axis to convert downward movement into horizontal...
The Magnus wing effect is not very efficient, but that does not matter here as there is a lot of speed and height to be lost. Maintaining rotation should be quite easy.

Then I found this site, by NASA. Guess they already know. So it probably won't be feasible. But one can dream.

02-07-2018, 04:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
RedDevil Master EcoWalker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Posts: 3,999 Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance Team Honda 90 day: 54.23 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,714 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,455 Posts	I was wondering if instead of wasting fuel on re-entry and landing it would be possible to slow down and maneuver the booster rockets towards their landing zone using the Magnus effect, e.g. by making them spin horizontally around their axis to convert downward movement into horizontal... The Magnus wing effect is not very efficient, but that does not matter here as there is a lot of speed and height to be lost. Maintaining rotation should be quite easy. Then I found this site, by NASA. Guess they already know. So it probably won't be feasible. But one can dream. __________________ 2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut. lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile. For confirmation go to people just like you. For education go to people unlike yourself.