Design, Build & Test Rocket Engines with This Revolutionary Simulator

Meco Rocket Simulator is an interactive engineering tool that allows you to simulate rocket engines hands-on. You can design engine cooling, injectors, nozzles, and more. We verify Meco’s accuracy with data from real-life rocket engines

For realism, Meco crunches the numbers using principles from well-cited research and published practitioners. This simulator is a great next step after playing Kerbal Space Program or Spaceflight Simulator!

Available on Steam Now!

The Developer of Meco Is Associated With

Kickstarter Funded!

Thanks to all the backers who made the Kickstarter Campaign a success. We even hit our stretched goal!

Learn More

194% Funded

Blazingly Fast Complete Engine Simulation

The simulated Vulcain rocket engine node graph features valves and regenerative cooling and runs in real-time on current-generation PCs.

The Rocket Engine Simulator for Interactive Design

Say goodbye to pages of endless numbers and equations because you’ll see the outcome of your design choices in seconds.

As an engineering student I really enjoyed it, it covers some complex topics that really make me think and learn. I'd definitely recommend it!

heimdall (Steam Handle)

It’s a fun way to learn – perfect for next-gen engineers and scientists who want to have fun while becoming trailblazers in our multi-planetary future.

On The Shoulders of Giants

Play campaigns with missions based on real-life events. For example, build and simulate rocket engines to:

Missions are WIP; we have 13 missions in-game now.

Embark on a journey of enlightenment as you learn how the USA developed the Redstone-Mercury rocket engine, a pivotal moment in space exploration history.
Experience the progression of SpaceX’s improvements to Merlin Engines, particularly from Falcon 1 to Falcon 9 full-thrust.
Immerse yourself in the historical significance of the Saturn V moon rocket and help develop its engines. Despite the technology available at the time, this feat was exceptionally reliable.
Discover how Europa I/II Rocket engine development enabled Europe’s first orbit-capable Launch Vehicle.

Get this Rocket Sim on Steam Now!

Detailed Fluid and Combustion Simulation

Meco’s detailed simulation allows you to model complex liquid rocket engine phenomena like:

Gas and liquid flow in lines and ducts, which are affected by pressure and friction.
Ignition, throttle, and shutdown sequences following valve timing values.
Thrust chamber and nozzle temperatures following regenerative, film, and ablative cooling.
Gas generators, expanders, and other engine cycles have pros and cons.
Rocket Nozzle gas exit velocity and flow separation change when the shape of the nozzle is changed.
Lastly, get the expected engine thrust, efficiency, and ISP readings to evaluate your design.

Comprehensive Engine Building Options

Meco includes features for building a rocket engine model for a first-approximation simulation.

Find out how making parts from different materials affects engine limits.
Test fuel, oxidizer, and coolant combinations and, consequently, their trade-offs.
Try different ignition/valve timing settings and note their advantages and disadvantages.
Design injectors, pumps, turbines, gearboxes, thrust chambers, and nozzles while challenged by physical constraints.

Rocket Nozzle Simulated

True-to-Life Rocket Engine Simulation Software

Meco has been validated against real-life engine operational data and matches it within a few percentage points. Hence, be assured that Meco will give you realistic performance numbers.

Change your design to get the desired pressure, temperature, and flow rate readings.
Tweak combustion properties, which vary with oxidizer-to-fuel ratio and pressure.
Find out safety margins when there are thermal and load stresses on parts. (Coming soon)
Test performance at different atmospheric Pressures.
Replay and zoom in to a particular spot in time when you need more data.

Examples To Build on Included in This Sim

Get into simulation quickly – pre-built and ready-to-sim engines include:

Rocketdyne F-1, which powered the Saturn V (subsystems available now)
SpaceX Merlin 1D employed on the Falcon 9
Vulcain by Snecma Moteurs, found on the Arianespace Ariane 5
RL-10A used by ULA Centaur, made initially by Pratt & Whitney (Coming soon)

Why an Accessible Rocket Engine Simulator?

To be a spacefaring civilization, we need many people who can build and maintain rocket engines in every colony.

Open Space Launch Foundation

Learn to Design Rocket Engines Step-By-Step

For child prodigies, senior enthusiasts and everyone in between

Start with cold-gas thrusters or dive into Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines (LPRE). Meco is on your side in your quest to learn rocket science.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

While Meco can handle the dozens of subsystems required to simulate a rocket engine, we can tinker with each subsystem individually and then combine them when we are ready.