Design, Build & Test Rocket Engines with This Revolutionary Simulator

Meco Rocket Simulator is a gamified 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.

We adopted an open-source pledge to sustain development and collaborate with the community. Read on!

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!
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.

Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly is the way.

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

Rocket Science written on a blackboard.
Various notable rockets from history.

On The Shoulders of Giants

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

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

  • 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 participate in developing 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.

This Rocket Sim is Launching Soon on

Detailed Fluid and Combustion Simulation

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

  • Gas and liquids flow in lines and ducts, which are affected by pressure and friction.
  • Ignition, throttle and shutdown sequences following value valve timings.
  • Thrust chamber and nozzle temperatures following regenerative, film and ablative cooling.
  • Gas generator, expander, and other engine cycles result in 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.
Detailed fluid and combustion simulation
Rocket engine components and tools.

Comprehensive Engine Building Options

Meco has features to build a rocket engine model for 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 igniter and valve types and 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 them 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 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.

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
  • 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

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.
Rocket launch to Mars.

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.

Embrace Your Inner Rocket Scientist

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.

Don't Miss Out

Get flash discounts of up to 50% off Meco Rocket Simulator when you subscribe.
I do not sell or share your information with anyone.
*Exclusive limited-time offer only

Learn Rocket Science

Here are some books I love to get you started on your rocket journey. Maybe one day you will build a rocket with your own hands.

Fundamentals

Ignition!: An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants
Rocket Propulsion Elements
Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
Fundamental Concepts of Liquid-Propellant Rocket Engines (Springer Aerospace Technology)

Inspiration

Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX
Rocketdyne: Powering Humans into Space (AIAA Education)
NASA Space Shuttle Main Engine Design Features
Design, Construction, Testing, and Flight of a Liquid Propellant Rocket

Amateur Rocketry

Modern High-Power Rocketry 2
Estes Tandem-X Launch Set (Amazon and Crossfire ISX) Orange, 30 inches

Rocket Engine Simulation

Gas Turbines: Internal Flow Systems Modeling (Cambridge Aerospace Series, Series Number 44)
Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program, Version 5.0 Educational: Supplemental Information for NASA//TM-2011-21647

Get the Simulation and Start Building

Be the first few to get exclusive Early Access to this build-a-rocket simulator.

Come Hang Out

Come in and join hundreds of folks who are just as into Rocket Engines as you.

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Vibrant illustration for rocket engine simulation game showcasing diverse elements of space exploration, innovation, and technology with MECO text centerpiece

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Don't Miss Out

Get flash discounts of up to 50% off Meco Rocket Simulator when you subscribe.
I do not sell or share your information with anyone.
*Exclusive limited-time offer only