On: SpaceX set to launch ‘used rocket’

[robotresearcher]

And the fuel to slow down.

[sqeaky → robotresearcher]

Thanks to the rocket formula We know that the fuel to slow down weighs the least. It doesn't have to lift any other fuel, so there can be less of it.

[robotresearcher → sqeaky]

That formula also tells us it took a lot of fuel to lift that slow-down fuel to the top of the ride...

[gozur88 → robotresearcher]

Not nearly as much as the wings, though, and with extra fuel you always have the option of lofting a heavier payload and throwing away the booster.