Features
This page lists the current features of OpenRocket and compares them to those of RockSim.
Current features (as of OpenRocket 23.09):
General
Fully cross-platform, written in Java
Open Source (see our GitHub repository <https://github.com/openrocket/openrocket>), source code available under the GNU GPL
Export OpenRocket design file to other simulation programs (RockSim, RASAero II)
Export component(s) to OBJ file for 3D printing
Extensible with custom simulation listeners, expressions, and plugins
User Interface
Intuitive user interface
Real-time view of CG and CP position
Real-time flight altitude, velocity and acceleration information from a continuous simulation performed in the background
Zoomable schematic view of rocket from the side or rear, with rotation around the center axis
Design
A multitude of available components to choose from
Trapezoidal, elliptical, free-form and tube fins supported
Support for canted fins (roll stabilization)
Staging and clustering support
Pods support
Automatic calculation of component mass and CG based on shape and density
Ability to override mass, CG and CD of components or stages separately
Simulation and Analysis
Full six degree of freedom simulation
Rocket stability computed using extended Barrowman method
Automatic design optimization — you can optimize any number of rocket parameters for flight altitude, maximum velocity or a number of other values
Realistic wind modeling
Analysis of the effect of separate components on the stability, drag and roll characteristics of the rocket
Fully configurable plotting, with various preset configurations
Simulation data can be exported to CSV files for further analysis
Simulation listeners allowing custom-made code to interact with the rocket during flight simulation
Planned Future Features
Note
OpenRocket is under constant work in the free time of the developers. If you want to help improve it, please refer to the Contribute page.
Below are a few major features that are under consideration:
Better support for transonic and supersonic simulations (help needed!)
Monte Carlo simulation for dispersion analysis
Simulate fin flutter
Customized support for hybrid rocket motors and water rockets
Importing and plotting actual flight data from altimeters
Rocket flight animation
A “wizard” for creating new rocket designs
More advanced rocket optimization methods
Import CD and CP data from other programs (e.g. RASAero)
For a full overview of the planned features, please refer to the GitHub issue tracker.
Comparison to RockSim
RockSim is a very powerful, commercial rocket design and simulation program. It is more advanced than OpenRocket in some regards, but its price tag of $124 makes it inaccessible to many hobbyists. OpenRocket is free, and the source code is available for modification by anyone. To help you decide which program is right for you, we have compiled a comparison of the features of OpenRocket 23.09 and RockSim 10 below.
While hosted on the OpenRocket documentation, we have attempted to make this an objective comparison between the functionality of the two software products. If you think something is wrong or omitted, please contact us.
General
OpenRocket |
RockSim |
|
|---|---|---|
License |
Open Source (GPLv3)
|
Proprietary
|
Price |
Free
|
$124
|
Supported platforms |
Windows, Mac, Linux
|
Windows, Mac
|
Supported file formats |
ORK, RKT, CDX1
|
RKT
|
Anti-piracy copy protection |
None
|
UI Features
OpenRocket |
RockSim |
|
|---|---|---|
Side/back view |
Yes
|
Yes
|
3D view |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Photorealistic 3D rendering |
Yes
|
No
|
Export 3D design |
Yes (OBJ)
|
Yes (3DS)
|
Design view rotation |
Any angle
|
Side and top only
|
Live CG/CP view |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Realtime simulation |
Yes
|
No
|
Design Features
OpenRocket |
RockSim |
|
|---|---|---|
Basic components |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Freeform fins |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Asymmetric fin configurations |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Tube fins |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Ring-tail fins |
No
|
Yes
|
Fins attached to fins |
No
|
Yes
|
External pods |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Canted fins / roll stabilization |
Yes
|
No
|
Standard component libraries |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Decals |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Clustering support |
Yes, modifiable
|
Yes, one-time wizard only
|
Staging support |
Yes, unlimited
|
Yes, 3 stages
|
Simulation Features
OpenRocket |
RockSim |
|
|---|---|---|
Degrees of freedom |
6DOF
|
3DOF
|
Geodetic calculation (Earth coordinates, coriolis effect) |
Yes
|
No
|
Simulations extensible by own code |
Yes
|
No
|
Simulation animation |
No
|
Yes
|
Plotting any simulated variables |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Exporting simulated data |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Computing custom variables |
Yes
|
No
|
Optimization and Analysis
OpenRocket |
RockSim |
|
|---|---|---|
General design optimization |
Yes
|
No
|
Mass optimization |
Yes (using general optimizer)
|
Yes
|
Stability analysis |
Yes, per component
|
Yes, per stage
|
Drag analysis |
Yes, per component
|
Yes, per stage
|
Roll analysis |
Yes
|
No
|
Printing
OpenRocket |
RockSim |
|
|---|---|---|
Schematic view |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Stability information |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Simulation results |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Parts list |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Component templates |
Nose cone, fin sets, centering rings
|
Nose cone, fin sets, centering rings
|
Fin placement guide |
Yes
|
No
|
Export to PDF |
Yes
|
No
|