Press Release

05/16/05 00:00:00    

By Michael Mealling

Subject: Simplifying “Rocket Science” – Educational Software Allows Students and Rocket Enthusiasts To Safely Design And Launch Model Rockets.

Apogee Components has released a new version of the RockSim software that allows rocketry modelers and educators to design any size model rocket and then to simulate how high they fly.

The software, used by over 856 schools throughout the USA, simplifies the rocket design process by allowing designers to “stretch and pull” common shapes into any size rocket they desire. Based on the shape, weight, and dimensions, the software calculates how high and fast the rocket will fly using any commercially available model rocket engine. It also checks the stability of the design prior to flight making sure that the rocket will fly a straight and safe trajectory path.

RockSim is unique in that it generates a 3D animation of the rocket's flight, including fire and smoke emitting from the rocket engine. This simulation allows younger children to actually see the flight of their rocket before launching it. In effect, it makes “Rocket Science” easy to understand. But its accuracy is what makes it useful to professional aerospace engineers who use it in developing rockets for scientific research.

The software allows teachers to quickly and safely demonstrate common scientific principles such as Newton's Laws of Motion and aeronautic concepts of “lift”, “drag”, “thrust”, and “trajectory flight”. Educators can also use it to create detailed simulation reports and graphs that give students further insight as to what is occurring during their rocket's flight. Modelers say they've learned more in one hour of play in RockSim than they have in over a year of trial-and-error on the rocket range.

RockSim has changed how people design, build, and fly model rockets. It has made it easier, cheaper, and safer to try multiple configurations of rockets and see how they will fly long before the rocket is built.

The RockSim software is available for both Windows and Macintosh OSX computers. A free 30-day trial version can be downloaded at: www.ApogeeRockets.com/rocksim.asp

For more information contact:

Tim Van Milligan

Apogee Components, Inc.

1130 Elkton Drive, Suite A

Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907 USA

Tel: 719-535-9335

Fax: 719-534-9050

Web site: www.ApogeeRockets.com/rocksim.asp

Email (please use contact form at): www.ApogeeRockets.com/contact_us.html

–end

Screen Shot Image Available at:

http://www.ApogeeRockets.com/rocksim_screen_shots.html