OpenRocket is a free and open-source application for designing model rockets and simulating their flight. The software provides a component-based rocket design environment together with aerodynamic analysis, stability calculations and flight simulation. It is written in Java and is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
OpenRocket was originally developed by Sampo Niskanen as part of his 2009 master's thesis at the Helsinki University of Technology.
OpenRocket originated from Niskanen's master's thesis, which investigated methods for calculating the aerodynamic properties and flight trajectories of model rockets and implemented these methods in an open-source software application. The work was based in part on the aerodynamic methods developed by James Barrowman, with extensions for effects including large angles of attack and free-form fins. The thesis also described atmospheric modelling and a six-degree-of-freedom flight simulation.
What is OpenRocket?
OpenRocket by OpenRocket is open-source Windows software in the pc games category. It is written in Java.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE installers for 64-bit Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 23.09, released on November 15, 2023. The version history goes back to February 8, 2023: 2 releases, all linked to the official files. The last update is more than a year old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 452 times. The source code on GitHub (openrocket/openrocket) has 3,174 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 2 of our languages. Similar programs include OpenTTD, RetroArch and Celestia.
Project description on GitHub: “Model-rocketry aerodynamics and trajectory simulation software”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
In short: OpenRocket is an open-source pc game tool for 64-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is OpenRocket safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
7C9E65111A73EF87AA81CA2147800BD40A470F3D7EF3DC31B9A0342FFAE05B2B· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the openrocket/openrocket repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- No dangerous workflows10
- Licence declared9
- Pinned dependencies7
- No binaries in the repository6
- Branch protection3
- Code review1
- Restricted token permissions0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Security policy0
- Fuzzing0
- Signed releases0
- Static code analysis0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 2 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23.09Latest | November 15, 2023 | — | 64-bit EXE |
| 22.02 | February 8, 2023 | — | 64-bit EXE |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id OpenRocket.OpenRocket -echoco install openrocket -yOpenRocket-23.09-Windows.exe -qRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
brew install --cask openrocketInformation
- Publisher
- OpenRocket
- Category
- PC games
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/openrocket/openrocket
- Written in
- Java
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE
- Version
- 23.09
- Released
- November 15, 2023
- Added to the catalogue
- July 7, 2023
- Versions listed
- 2
- Chocolatey downloads
- 452
- GitHub stars
- 3,174
- GitHub forks
- 712
- Website
- openrocket.info
- winget ID
- OpenRocket.OpenRocket
- Chocolatey package
- openrocket
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to OpenRocket
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Frequently asked questions
Is OpenRocket free?
Yes. OpenRocket is open-source software under the GPL-3.0 licence.
Is OpenRocket safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install OpenRocket with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can OpenRocket be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does OpenRocket run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of OpenRocket?
The versions page lists all 2 versions with links to their official installer files, back to February 8, 2023.
What are alternatives to OpenRocket?
OpenTTD, RetroArch, Celestia, Steam and PPSSPP. The alternatives page compares them.
