Apogee Components
Apogee Components is a Colorado Springs-based e-commerce retailer and software publisher that sells model rocket kits, motors, building supplies, and its proprietary RockSim simulation software directly to hobbyists, students, and educators worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersColorado Springs, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Apogee Components does
Apogee Components, Inc. (DBA Apogee Rockets) is a privately held, Colorado Springs-based e-commerce retailer and software publisher serving the model rocketry hobbyist market. Founded in 1987 and operating with 1–10 employees, the company runs a single retail location plus a global direct-to-consumer storefront (apogeerockets.com) offering model rocket kits across five skill levels, rocket motors in diameters from 13mm to 54mm, launch accessories, building supplies, ejection systems, electronics, payloads, competition supplies (TARC/ARC), and branded novelties. It carries third-party brands including Estes, AeroTech, Cesaroni, Quest, LOC Precision, Madcow, and Aero Pack alongside first-party components, and adds high-margin adjacencies such as custom motor casing engraving and a discount Garage Sale channel.
The company's core proprietary technology is RockSim, a desktop rocket design and simulation software that models stability, altitude, and motor performance; it is sold in standard, educational (TARC-aligned), and Pro tiers, with a separate Launch Visualizer add-on for trajectory visualization. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website, with multi-currency support across USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD, same-day shipping on orders placed before 2pm Mountain Time, a 60-day return policy, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Revenue is generated through hardware sales, one-time RockSim software licenses, and newsletter advertising in the weekly Peak of Flight and triweekly Industry Updates publications.
Apogee's go-to-market is a hybrid of self-serve e-commerce and community-led growth: more than 400 how-to YouTube videos, free weekly RockSim Live Training sessions, TARC sponsorship, and the dual newsletters function simultaneously as customer education, top-of-funnel acquisition, and retention mechanisms. The customer base spans beginners and newcomers, K-12 students and educators (for STEM projects and competitions), and intermediate-to-advanced hobbyists pursuing high-power certification; no enterprise or institutional customer is named in the source material. There are no disclosed funding rounds, institutional investors, parent companies, M&A activity, or leadership changes on record.
Apogee Components firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Apogee Components
- Legal name
- Apogee Components, Inc.
- Website
- https://apogeerockets.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Apogee Components is a Colorado Springs-based e-commerce retailer and software publisher that sells model rocket kits, motors, building supplies, and its proprietary RockSim simulation software directly to hobbyists, students, and educators worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Apogee Components industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Model Rocketry Hobby Products
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dolls, Plush & Action Figures Retail (CRALAFAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Miniature Storage, Display & Transport (Cases, Shelves) (CRALAKAK)
Keywords
Where Apogee Components is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Colorado Springs
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Apogee Components business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Primary revenue from selling model rocket kits, rocket motors, building supplies, launch accessories, electronics, recovery equipment, and rocketry novelty items through their e-commerce platform.
- Software Licensing: Revenue from RockSim software sales, including upgrades and specialized editions for educational and professional use. Includes free trial versions and paid professional licenses.
- Advertising: Revenue from advertising placements in the Peak of Flight newsletter and Industry Updates newsletter, with various ad sizes and placement options available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Model Rocket Kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rocket Motors and Accessories |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | RockSim Software |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Certificates |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Newsletter Advertising |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Apogee Components product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Apogee Components is a specialty e-commerce retailer of model rocketry products, selling model rocket kits across five skill levels, rocket motors from 13mm to 54mm diameters, launch accessories, building supplies (body tubes, fins, parachutes, nose cones, electronics, ejection systems), and educational resources. The company also develops and licenses its own proprietary RockSim desktop software for designing model rockets and simulating flight performance, with a Pro edition and a Launch Visualizer add-on.
Product overview
Apogee Components operates as a specialized e-commerce retailer for the model rocketry hobby, offering a comprehensive catalog of physical products rather than a unified software platform. The product portfolio centers on Model Rocket Kits (spanning five skill levels from beginner to expert, including High Power, Helicopter Recovery, Cluster, Dual Deployment, Fiberglass, and Certification kits), Rocket Motors (ranging 13mm-54mm from brands like Estes, AeroTech, Cesaroni), and extensive Building Supplies (tubes, fins, parachutes, nose cones, electronics, ejection systems). The company also offers its own RockSim and RockSim Pro desktop software for rocket design simulation, complemented by the Launch Visualizer tool. Educational content includes books, videos, and technical guides. Specialty offerings include ARC/TARC competition supplies, custom motor engraving services, and branded novelties. The business model combines first-party manufactured components with third-party brand distribution across multiple motor sizes and kit categories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RockSim: Rocket simulation software for designing and analyzing model rockets
- Peak of Flight
- Industry Updates
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% satisfaction guarantee with 60-day return policy
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Apogee Components
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Apogee Components technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Apogee Components partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- EstescoreEstes is a major rocket motor and kit manufacturer whose products are distributed through Apogee Components' catalog. Apogee sells Estes motors, accessories, and kits.
- AeroTechcoreHigh-power rocket motor manufacturer whose products (motors, casings, accessories) are distributed through Apogee Components.
- Cesaroni TechnologycorePremium rocket motor manufacturer providing propellant kits and casings sold through Apogee Components.
- Quest MotorsminorMotor manufacturer whose products are distributed through Apogee Components.
- LOC PrecisioncoreHigh-power rocket kit manufacturer whose kits (including Hi-Tech, LOC IV, IRIS) are distributed through Apogee Components.
- Madcow RocketryminorRocket kit manufacturer whose products (such as the Torrent) are distributed through Apogee Components.
- Aero PackminorMotor retainer manufacturer whose products are sold through Apogee Components.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Apogee Components competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LOC Precision: LOC Precision manufactures high-power model rocket kits (including Hi-Tech, LOC IV, IRIS) that are sold through Apogee. LOC also sells direct, making it both a distribution partner and a competing retailer for the same high-power hobbyist and certification customer.
- Discount Rocketry: Discount Rocketry is a smaller specialty hobby rocketry retailer selling kits, motors, and components online. It competes with Apogee on price and selection for the same hobbyist customer base.
- Estes Rockets: Estes is the largest U.S. model rocket kit and motor manufacturer and also sells direct via its own e-commerce store. Apogee distributes Estes motors, kits, and accessories while also competing for the same hobbyist and educator customers across the same skill-level product categories.
- Always Ready Rocketry: Always Ready Rocketry is a specialty online retailer of model and high-power rocketry products, similar in role to Apogee as a multi-brand hobby retailer. They serve overlapping hobbyist and educator customer segments with kits, motors, and components.
Broad incumbents
- Cesaroni Technology: Cesaroni manufactures premium hobby and high-power rocket motors and propellant kits that Apogee distributes. Cesaroni also operates direct e-commerce, competing with Apogee for high-power motor buyers in the same hobby segment.
- Hobbylinc: Hobbylinc is a broad online hobby retailer carrying rockets, RC, trains, and similar hobby categories. It overlaps with Apogee as a multi-category hobby e-commerce destination for the same discretionary hobbyist buyer.
- AeroTech: AeroTech is a leading manufacturer of high-power composite rocket motors and reloads. Apogee distributes AeroTech motors and casings, while AeroTech also sells direct, making them both a key supplier and a competing direct-to-consumer channel in the high-power hobby segment.
Emerging players
- Quest Aerospace: Quest manufactures model rocket kits, motors, and components that Apogee distributes, while also selling direct. They overlap with Apogee in the entry-level and mid-power hobbyist and educator segments.
- Madcow Rocketry: Madcow designs and sells rocket kits (including the Torrent) directly to consumers, while also distributing through Apogee. It competes with Apogee for kit buyers in the mid- to high-power hobby range.
Others
- Balsa Machining Service: BMS is a supplier of balsa wood and related modeling materials serving the broader model-building hobby community. It is comparable as an adjacent niche hobby supplier and ecosystem participant but does not directly compete in rocketry kits or motors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Apogee Components social profiles
Digital presenceApogee Components financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Apogee Components leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Apogee Components funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Apogee Components M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Apogee Components
What does Apogee Components do?
Apogee Components is a specialty e-commerce retailer of model rocketry products, selling model rocket kits across five skill levels, rocket motors from 13mm to 54mm diameters, launch accessories, building supplies (body tubes, fins, parachutes, nose cones, electronics, ejection systems), and educational resources. The company also develops and licenses its own proprietary RockSim desktop software for designing model rockets and simulating flight performance, with a Pro edition and a Launch Visualizer add-on.
Is Apogee Components a public or private company?
Apogee Components is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Apogee Components founded?
Apogee Components was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Apogee Components based?
Apogee Components is headquartered in Colorado Springs, United States, in the North America region.
How does Apogee Components make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing and advertising.
Who are Apogee Components's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LOC Precision, Discount Rocketry, Estes Rockets and Always Ready Rocketry. Broad incumbents are Cesaroni Technology, Hobbylinc and AeroTech. Emerging players are Quest Aerospace and Madcow Rocketry. Balsa Machining Service is listed as an others.
Does Apogee Components have an API?
No public API is recorded for Apogee Components.
What industry is Apogee Components in?
Apogee Components's product category is Model Rocketry Hobby Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAFAD, Dolls, Plush & Action Figures Retail, with a secondary code of CRALAKAK, Miniature Storage, Display & Transport (Cases, Shelves). Its NAICS code is 339930.