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

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

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

Before we could retrofire, however, we had a long checklist to wade through.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins