What effect does a poorly designed recovery system have on a rocket?

A poorly designed recovery system can indeed lead to damage upon landing. The primary purpose of this system, commonly a parachute, is to slow down the rocket’s descent to ensure a safe landing. If the recovery system fails to deploy properly or is inadequately designed, the rocket may descend too quickly, resulting in a hard landing that can cause structural damage to the rocket’s airframe, electronics, and payload.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of a poor recovery system. The recovery system is not meant to increase the rocket’s velocity, improve stability during flight, or decrease air resistance; rather, its main function is to safely return the rocket to the ground. A malfunction in this system undermines safety and the integrity of the rocket upon landing.