Design & Test Rocket Engines Interactively
Meco Rocket Simulator introduces rocket engine concepts in a fun way to inspire budding rocket engineers/scientists to support our multi-planetary future. For realism, Meco crunches the numbers using principles from well-cited research and the expertise of published practitioners.
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. 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.
On the Shoulders of Giants
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 ESA developed the Europa I/II rocket engines, which enabled Europe's first orbit-capable launch vehicle.
Detailed Fluid and Combustion Simulation
Meco's detailed simulation allows you to observe the following:
- Gas and liquids flow in lines and ducts due to pressure and friction.
- Ignition, throttle, and shutdown sequences follow valve timings.
- Thrust chamber and nozzle temperatures following regenerative, film, and ablative cooling.
- Evaluate the pros and cons resulting from gas generator, expander, and other engine cycles.
- Alter the nozzle shape and observe how the nozzle gas exit velocity and flow separation change.
- Lastly, get the expected engine thrust, efficiency, and ISP readings to evaluate your design.
Comprehensive Design Options
Meco has features you need to build a rocket engine model for a first approximation simulation.
- Determine the engine limits with different materials for parts.
- Test fuel, oxidizer, and coolant combinations and 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.
True-To-Life Rocket Engine Simulation
Meco has been validated against real-life engine operational data and matches it to within a few percent:
- Adjust your design to achieve the desired pressure, temperature, and flow rate readings.
- Tweak combustion properties, which change correspondingly with oxidizer-fuel ratio and pressure.
- Determine safety margins for thermal and load stresses.
- Test performance at different atmospheric pressures.
- Replay and zoom in to a particular spot in time when you need more data.
Analyze
- Pressure and flow of gas and liquids
- Combustion temperature and properties
- Thermal and load stresses on parts
- Performance at different atmospheric pressures
- Replay and zoom in to a particular spot in time
Examples to Learn from Included
Get into simulation quickly – pre-built and ready-to-simulate 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, initially made by Pratt & Whitney
Embrace Your Inner Rocket Scientist – 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 is 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 tinker with each sub-system individually and put them all together when we are ready.
Master and Build Intuition
See how engineering and scientific laws come together and build a complete understanding of the part they play.
Do or Do Not. There Is No Try
Overcome the challenges and feel accomplished. There are reasons why rocket science has a reputation for not being easy, but you are in good company.
