retrorocket

American  

[re-troh-rok-it] / ˈrɛ troʊˌrɒk ɪt /

Or retro-rocket

noun

1. a small, auxiliary rocket engine, forming a part of a larger rocket vehicle and having its exhaust nozzle pointed toward the direction of flight, for decelerating the larger rocket, separating one stage from another, etc.

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retrorocket British  

/ ˈrɛtrəʊˌrɒkɪt /

noun

1. Often shortened to: retro.  a small auxiliary rocket engine on a larger rocket, missile, or spacecraft, that produces thrust in the opposite direction to the direction of flight in order to decelerate the vehicle or make it move backwards

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Etymology

Origin of retrorocket

First recorded in 1945–50; retro- + rocket ¹

Example Sentences

The survival package, slowed by a solid-propellant retrorocket, should land on the moon at something like 70 m.p.h.

From Time Magazine Archive

If the retrorocket is fired in the wrong direction, it will speed the satellite up and put it on an orbit with a higher apogee.

From Time Magazine Archive

On Aug. 14 the retrorocket of Discoverer V was fired by a ground signal, but the planes circled in vain.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus a smaller retrorocket will be needed to slow Pioneer down to the speed necessary for it to slip into its orbit around Venus.

From Time Magazine Archive

The quick blast of a retrorocket slowed its speed of descent.

From Time Magazine Archive