Rocket Builder

Build a rocket by choosing from various engines, fuel tanks, and payloads. Then launch the rocket into space to complete selected missions!

Rocket Builder Video

Educational Points

Learn about gravity, wind resistance and orbital dynamics.

  • Gravity: As visitors build a rocket and add components, the total rocket weight increases. Learn how difficult it is to get heavy payloads into space.
  • Wind Resistance: Earth's atmosphere is thick and provides ample drag on rockets. Learn about maximum dynamic pressure and how it affects rockets.
  • Orbital Dynamics: Rockets not only need to go up, they also need to orbit around Earth.

User Interaction

Visitors build rockets utilizing intuitive touch screen controls. They transition to a throttle and joystick to launch the rocket.

Touch Screen
  • Mission Select: Choose from a list of increasingly difficult missions.
  • Touch and Drag: Utilize the touch screen to build a custom rocket.
Throttle and Joystick
  • Throttle: Controls the amount of rocket thrust.
  • Joystick: Used to fight air resistance and control the rocket into space.
  • Buttons: Separate the rocket stages as the rocket ascends.

User Experience

Rocket Builder has three available mission modes: Reach Space, Obtain Orbit, and Mars Transfer. Each mode is progressively harder and introduces more real world mechanics for visitors to learn.

  • Reach Space: A simple altitude test. Once visitors master building a rocket, they can test its launch capabilities to see if the rocket can reach the mission altitude.
  • Obtain Orbit: Having mastered flight, visitors are taught that rockets need to orbit Earth to stay in space.
  • Mars Transfer: Once orbits are mastered, learn what it takes to make a transfer burn to leave Earths’ gravitational influence and head towards Mars.

Hold Time Data (30 Day Timespan)

Software Pricing

$10,000

Small Facility Pricing applies 50% reduction

Volume pricing also applies

Pricing Sheet

Hardware Provided

  • Keylok license dongle
  • Arduino-based control interface wired to arcade quality buttons, throttle and joystick sourced from Suzo-Happ

Recommended Hardware

  • Touch Screen: A touch screen is used to build your rocket.
  • Display: An additional large display may be used for a more immersive experience when visitors transition from building the rocket to flight.
  • Audio: Speakers should be plugged directly into the computer. Using TV speakers may not work if the computer is on before the TV has been turned on.

Required Computer Specs

  • Quad Core CPU (or better).
  • Power Supply: 600 Watt (or better).
  • Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti (or better).
  • RAM: 16 GB (or greater).
  • SSD: 120+ GB.
  • OS: Windows 10 or Windows 11.