retrofire

American  

[re-troh-fahy^uhr] / ˈrɛ troʊˌfaɪər /

verb (used with object)

retrofired, retrofiring

1. to ignite (a retrorocket).

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verb (used without object)

retrofired, retrofiring

1. (of a retrorocket) to become ignited.

retrofire British  

/ ˈrɛtrəʊˌfaɪə /

noun

1. the act of firing a retrorocket

2. the moment at which it is fired

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Etymology

Origin of retrofire

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; retro- + fire

Example Sentences

But Kraft always suspected that Carpenter had gotten distracted by his in-flight experiments and gone a little moony over being in space in the first place and simply missed the retrofire call.

From Time • Oct. 11, 2013

Its four blinking consoles are managed by specialists in space dynamics; they report on booster systems, retrofire, flight dynamics and guidance�respectively known in the control room's jargon as "Booster," "Retro," "Fido" and "Guide."

From Time Magazine Archive

When a Gemini capsule is about to re-enter the atmosphere, it will be positioned for retrofire by computers on the ground.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the simulation and training building, an astronaut can climb inside a spacecraft and practice all the functions of a mission, from launch to retrofire.

From Time Magazine Archive

The output included a constantly updated time for retrofire, the moment when the capsules rockets had to be fired in order to initiate its descent back to Earth.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly