[dylan604]

Is this a bit of over engineering? How much is drag reduced during liftoff by having the flaps folded?

[modeless]

The reason the flaps move is to provide attitude and speed control during reentry. Like a skydiver spreading their arms and legs.

[dylan604]

oh, you mean like actual flaps of pretty much any aircraft. doh! i was thinking it was like the folding of the wings for planes on an aircraft carrier. sometimes my brain, boy, i don't know