OpenRocket

OpenRocket provides a complete environment for designing, simulating, and optimizing model rockets before any physical construction. Users can create custom components or select from a built‑in catalog of commercial parts, arrange multi‑stage configurations, and cluster motors using preset layouts. The software includes a CAD‑style 2D and 3D design view, and it can export drawings to PDF or other formats for building.

The simulator runs a six‑degrees‑of‑freedom flight model that incorporates over fifty variables, including wind at varying altitudes, and presents results through detailed plots and real‑time performance metrics such as center of gravity, center of pressure, altitude, and velocity. An optimizer tool can automatically adjust parameters to meet user‑defined goals, while custom scripts allow extensions of the simulation.

OpenRocket is free, open‑source, and available for macOS, Windows, Linux, and as a Java JAR. It targets hobbyists, educators, and engineers who need reliable, data‑driven insights to design safer and higher‑performing rockets.