Openrocket

What Openrocket does

OpenRocket is a free, open-source model rocket simulation software project originally developed in 2009 by Sampo Niskanen as a Master's thesis at Helsinki University of Technology and now maintained by a volunteer community. The software is a Java-based desktop application that combines CAD-style 2D and 3D rocket design tools with six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) flight simulation based on the Barrowman method and its extensions, supporting over 50 simulation variables. Core capabilities include a component and motor database (integrated with ThrustCurve.org), multi-stage and clustered motor configurations, pods and drop-off boosters, freeform fin editing, real-time performance feedback (center of pressure, center of gravity, altitude, velocity, and stability), a Rocket Optimizer tool, and export to OBJ for 3D printing. The project maintains bidirectional file compatibility with the leading commercial competitor, RockSim (.rkt format), positioning itself as a free alternative to commercial simulators priced around $124.

The business model is non-commercial: OpenRocket is distributed at no cost under the GPLv3 license, with no paid tiers, premium features, or disclosed revenue streams. Go-to-market is entirely community-led, relying on organic discovery through search engines, word-of-mouth within rocketry communities, and direct digital distribution from openrocket.info and the GitHub repository for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Community engagement occurs through an official Discord server, the Rocketry Electronics and Software forum at The Rocketry Forum, and three SourceForge-hosted mailing lists (announce, devel, website). Target users are organized into three segments: individual model rocket hobbyists (primary), educational users (teachers and students in physics/aerodynamics/engineering), and competition rocketers (such as TARC participants), with marketing being passive rather than active.

The project has no formal corporate entity, no headcount data, no funding rounds, no parent company, and no investors — it operates as an informal open-source effort with volunteer contributions. Active development continues with the latest version 24.12 released in July 2025. Recent strategic activity has focused exclusively on capability expansion (pods, boosters, freeform fins, OBJ export, C_D override) and ecosystem interoperability (RockSim file compatibility, enhanced motor data integration), rather than commercial repositioning.

Name

Openrocket

Legal name

OpenRocket

Website

https://openrocket.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OpenRocket is a free, open-source desktop application that lets model rocket hobbyists design, simulate, and optimize rockets using six-degree-of-freedom flight simulation, serving individual enthusiasts, educational users, and competition rocketers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Simulation Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Open Interactive Learning Objects & Simulations (EDAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Model rocket simulation
• Aerospace design software
• Open source simulation
• Rocket trajectory analysis
• CAD design tool

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunnyvale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Software Distribution: OpenRocket is a free, open-source application distributed at no cost. The project does not generate revenue from software sales. Development is community-driven with volunteer contributions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OpenRocket is a free, open-source desktop application that lets users design, simulate, and optimize model rockets before building and flying them. It combines 2D/3D CAD-style rocket design, a ThrustCurve.org-backed motor database, Six-Degrees-of-Freedom flight simulation with over 50 variables, real-time performance feedback, a Rocket Optimizer, and PhotoStudio 3D rendering in a single Java-based tool distributed for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Product overview

OpenRocket is a single, unified open-source model rocket simulator application. The core product is the OpenRocket Simulator, which combines 2D/3D CAD-style rocket design, a comprehensive parts and motor database (integrated with ThrustCurve.org), Six-Degrees-of-Freedom flight simulation with advanced plotting, design optimization tools, and aerodynamic analysis capabilities into one free desktop application. The product supports multi-stage rockets, clustered motors, pods, boosters, and exports designs in various formats including its native .ork format, RockSim .rkt format, and OBJ for 3D printing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OpenRocket Simulator A free, fully featured open-source desktop model rocket simulator that lets hobbyists design, simulate, and analyze rocket flights before building and flying physical rockets. Features 2D and 3D design views, a parts library of commercial components, a ThrustCurve-integrated motor database, 6DOF flight simulation with 50+ variables, advanced plotting and exporting, real-time performance data, multi-stage and clustered motor configurations, Rocket Optimizer, PhotoStudio 3D rendering, and exports to OBJ for 3D printing and RockSim .rkt format. Targets model rocket hobbyists, educators, and competition rocketers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6DOF flight simulation with over 50 variables for comprehensive flight analysis
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature14 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ThrustCurve.orgcoreTechnology or IntegrationThrustCurve.org provides the motor thrust curve database integrated into OpenRocket. This allows users to access extensive motor data for accurate simulation of rocket flights with different motor configurations.
• The Rocketry ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Rocketry Forum hosts the Rocketry Electronics and Software forum where OpenRocket users can get support. This serves as the primary community support channel alongside Discord.
• Creative CommonsminorOthersOpenRocket website content is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The project uses this licensing framework for its documentation and web content distribution.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ThrustCurve.org: Comprehensive motor thrust curve database for amateur and high-power rocketry. OpenRocket's primary data integration partner; serves as the underlying data layer for motor selection across multiple simulation tools.

Direct peers

• RockSim (Apogee Components): The leading commercial model rocket simulator sold by Apogee Components. OpenRocket directly competes as a free, more feature-rich alternative; bidirectional .rkt file compatibility between the two products makes them explicit substitutes.
• RASAero: Commercial high-power rocket trajectory and stability simulator. OpenRocket exports designs to RockSim .rkt format which RASAero can import, positioning them as competing but interoperable alternatives in the same hobbyist market.
• SpaceCAD: Long-standing model rocket design and simulation tool. Targets the same hobbyist rocketry audience as OpenRocket with similar CAD-style design and flight prediction functionality.

Emerging players

• NoseCAD: Specialized nose cone design tool for model rockets. Targets a narrower use case within the same hobbyist audience that OpenRocket serves, and is often used alongside full rocket simulators.
• Kerbal Space Program: Popular spacecraft simulation game that overlaps with hobbyist rocketry in audience and rocket physics modeling. Differs in being entertainment-focused rather than engineering-focused, but the audiences intersect.
• BurnSim: Solid rocket motor internal ballistics simulation tool used by serious hobbyists. Targets a more specialized subset (motor design) of the same amateur rocketry audience OpenRocket serves.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/openrocket/openrocket

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Openrocket