Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Alblaka t1_j5y6ikr wrote

Reply to comment by dWintermut3 in Why do sample return missions such as OSIRIS-REx use their own reentry vehicles instead of just going to the space station for pickup and return with ISS equipment? by PromptCritical725

I'd suggest that performing a precise aerobrake in reality might be slightly more difficult than in an abstracted simulation, i.e. due to the simulation always being 100% accurate, whilst any modelling of our actual atmosphere might be less precise.

It's easy to do a full aerobrake, and it's relatively easy to avoid aerobraking. But treading that fine line between might be a bit unfeasible in an unsimulated environment.

6