Like an astronaut returning - or failing to get lift-off (10)
I believe the answer is:
earthbound
'like' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for earthbound that I've seen before include "going like lightning" , "Lacking imagination" , "Unable to fly" , "Always seen on the ground" , "Moving towards the world" .)