09. For future space tourism, will the landing be powered or will we come in like a glider? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

I would think that in the near future re-entry of space vehicles will primarily be unpowered after the deorbit burn, because it eliminates a variable and it is simpler. There is a trade, of course, because it greatly reduces your options and flexibility. Future vehicles will probably have the capability of providing some sort of propulsive thrust in case there is a problem making the runway or in case the landing location needs to be changed after deorbit.

Answer provided by Col. USAF (Ret.) Frederick D. Gregory

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

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