Learn Rocket Science Interactively

Meco Rocket Simulator introduces rocket science concepts in a fun way to inspire budding rocket engineers and scientists to support our multi-planetary future.

Expensive proprietary software is not great, so we adopted an open-source pledge to sustain development and collaborate with the community. Read on!

For realism, Meco crunches the numbers using principles from well-cited research and published practitioners.

The Developer of Meco Is a Member Of

Blazingly Fast Complete Engine Simulation

Simulated Vulcain rocket engine node graph featuring valves and regenerative cooling. Runs in real-time on current-generation PCs.

Rocket Science Learning Made Fun

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

Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly is the way.

R.U.D. Master

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

Learn From The Best

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

How the USA developed the Redstone-Mercury rocket engine, which in essence, sent the first American to Space.
Progression of SpaceX’s improvements to Merlin Engines, in particular, from Falcon 1 to Falcon 9 full-thrust.
Development of engines for the Saturn V moon rocket that were exceptionally reliable despite the technology available at the time.
How the engines for the Europa I/II Rocket were developed, which then enabled Europe’s first orbit-capable Launch Vehicle.

This Rocket Science Game is Launching Soon on

Detailed Fluid and Combustion Simulation

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

The flow of gas and liquids in lines and ducts as a result of pressure and friction.
Ignition, throttle and shutdown sequences following value valve timings.
Thrust chamber and nozzle temperatures following regenerative, film and ablative cooling.
The pros and cons as a result of gas generator, expander, and other engine cycles.
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 Simulation Library

Meco has features you need to build a rocket engine model for first approximation simulation.

Find out engine limits when different materials are used to create its parts.
Test fuel, oxidizer and coolant combinations and consequently, their trade-offs.
Try different igniter and valve types with their advantages and disadvantages.
Design injectors, pumps, turbines, gearboxes, thrust chambers and nozzles while being challenged by physical constraints.

Rocket Nozzle Simulated

True to Life Rocket Science Game

Meco has been validated against real-life engine operational data and matches them to within a few percent, hence you can be assured Meco gives you realistic performance numbers.

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

In-Game Examples Included

Dive into rocket science quick – pre-built and ready-to-play engines include:

Rocketdyne F-1 which powered the Saturn V
SpaceX Merlin 1D employed on the Falcon 9
Vulcain by Snecma Moteurs found on the Arianespace Ariane 5
RL-10A used by ULA Centaur originally made by Pratt & Whitney

Why an Accessible Rocket Science Game?

To be a spacefaring civilization, we need people that can build and maintain rocket engines on every colony and we’re gonna need a lot them.

Open Space Launch Foundation Learn more

Learn to Design Rocket Engines Step-By-Step

For child prodigies, senior enthusiasts and everyone in between

Start with cold-gas thrusters, or dive right into Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines (LPRE). If your quest to learn some rocket science, Meco is at your side.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

While Meco can handle dozens of sub-systems required to simulate a rocket engine, we can tinker with each sub-system individually and put them all together when we are ready.