Rogers Aeroscience is pleased to announce the release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis and flight simulation software for model, high power, and Tripoli Research rockets. In a major development, to get wide distribution of the RASAero software and aerodynamic analysis methods throughout the model, high power, and Tripoli Research communities, the RASAero authors have decided to release RASAero as FREE software. The RASAero software and users manual can be downloaded for free from the Rogers Aeroscience RASAero web site at www.rasaero.com.

RASAero is a combined aerodynamic analysis and flight simulation software package for model rockets and high power rockets, Tripoli Research rockets, and sounding rockets. RASAero can also be used for predicting aerodynamic coefficients for use in other flight simulation programs for orbital rockets.

The RASAero aerodynamic prediction methods are the most accurate available for model, high power, and Tripoli Research rockets, and are of equivalent accuracy to professional engineering method aerodynamic analysis codes used for missiles, sounding rockets, and space launch vehicles. Aerodynamic predictions for rockets are generated as a function of Mach number, Reynolds number, and angle of attack for subsonic, transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic Mach numbers (from Mach 0.01 to Mach 25) and for angles of attack of zero degrees to 15 degrees.

In initial testing in comparison with barometric altimeter and optical tracking altitude flight data 80% of the RASAero flight simulation altitude predictions have been within +/- 10% of flight data, and 40% of the altitude predictions have been within +/- 5% of flight data. The initial 25 rocket study comparing RASAero predicted altitudes with flight data is included in the users manual, and the rocket files from the study are included in the software download.

Ever wonder what the shockwaves around a rocket look like from just over Mach 1 to Mach 10? Included on the web site as part of comparisons of RASAero aerodynamic predictions with wind tunnel data and free-flight model data are shadowgraphs (similar to Schileren photographs) for a rocket-shaped model from Mach 1.06 to Mach 10. Additional initial comparisons of RASAero aerodynamic predictions with wind tunnel and free-flight model data and sounding rocket wind tunnel data are included on the web site, including NACA and NASA source documents which can be downloaded from the web site. In the future look for the addition of many other technical reports, NACA and NASA documents, and previously published technical articles to be added to the RASAero web site for downloading.

Additional information on the RASAero software can be found on the RASAero web site at www.rasaero.com.  The RASAero authors, Charles E. (Chuck) Rogers and David (Coop) Cooper can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

09-12-2008 09:12 AM  #1
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rogers Aeroscience announces release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis FYI - this is from their website. Quote: Note to RASAero Beta Testers: to avoid software conflicts be sure to uninstall the Beta Test version of the RASAero software before installing the initial release version. Your ALX1 rocket files can remain in the rasaero directory. The Beta Test ALX1 rocket files can be read by the initial release version of the software, which will then save the files in the new ALX1 file format. So if you beta tested this - remove the program but leave your rocket files intact.

09-12-2008 12:57 PM  #2
Loopy NAR Level 1   Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 147	Re: Site owner authorized reply Man, I can't wait to get home and download this!!!!! I've got some stuff kicking around my head that I want to play with.....

09-12-2008 03:49 PM  #3
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rogers Aeroscience announces release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis As far as I can tell the software is closed source and only available for Windows. Is there a plan to expand this software to include other platforms or make it open source so that others can modify it and adapt it to other platforms? I am not knocking this gift horse in the mouth - I just am very curious. Recently we have had some non-PC users who asked about Mac and Linux options for simulation software. The pickings are slim outside of a Mac version of RockSIM and using emulation to run programs designed for other OS's.

09-12-2008 08:11 PM  #4
StuBarrett Certified Level Eleven   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 137	Re: Article: Rogers Aeroscience announces release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis Quote: Recently we have had some non-PC users who asked about Mac and Linux options for simulation software. The pickings are slim... I understand that the same thing is true for BetaMax machines (i.e. lack of software)... Stu

09-12-2008 10:40 PM  #5
Chuck Rogers Aerospace Engineer   Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 1	Re: Article: Rogers Aeroscience announces release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis Quote: As far as I can tell the software is closed source and only available for Windows. Is there a plan to expand this software to include other platforms or make it open source so that others can modify it and adapt it to other platforms? The RASAero software is only available for Windows, and while it is free, it is closed source software. We have no plans to make the software open source, and no plans to support other platforms. We've added to the web site that RASAero is compatible with the following Windows Operating Systems: Vista Win Xp Win2000 Win98Se Chuck Rogers Rogers Aeroscience

09-12-2008 11:22 PM  #6
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rogers Aeroscience announces release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis Quote: The RASAero software is only available for Windows, and while it is free, it is closed source software. We have no plans to make the software open source, and no plans to support other platforms. We've added to the web site that RASAero is compatible with the following Windows Operating Systems: Vista Win Xp Win2000 Win98Se Chuck Rogers Rogers Aeroscience Chuck - thanks for the update. If anyone want to run the code on Linux or the Mac they'll need to use an emulation package. If anyone tests that and gets it working maybe they can post the details and you can list that on your site.

09-12-2008 11:57 PM  #7
snaquin3 The Ripper   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 26	Re: Article: Rogers Aeroscience announces release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis Quote: The RASAero software is only available for Windows, and while it is free, it is closed source software. We have no plans to make the software open source, and no plans to support other platforms. We've added to the web site that RASAero is compatible with the following Windows Operating Systems: Vista Win Xp Win2000 Win98Se Chuck Rogers Rogers Aeroscience Chuck, Thanks for making this program available. I just installed it and using several of the included .alx1 files it appears to be working fine. I'm glad I held on to screen prints from the old program and I still have v4.13 (SIP2) installed on my old computer. I have print out of the old CD functions screens and that will make it easy to enter the values into the new program. I'm glad to see the new windows based program. The first scratch built rockets I designed on paper were flown at LDRS-VIII in Hartsel, CO in 1989. All my rockets were designed and checked with the program and flew flawlessly. I still have the CD data for my first J100 rocket flown at LDRS-VIII and it was one of the few tracked flights (you tracked it) that was recorded that year. I'll need to run that simulation too with the new program. It was a 3" rocket called Stinger 3 tracked to 6,912 feet. The fact that the new program uses a RASP motor data file will be a breeze to add new motor data. I see this as a big plus considering all the new motors becoming available. Thanks again for your hard work and dedication to this program. .

09-13-2008 04:03 AM  #8
Sono_6 Certified Level Three   Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 404	Re: Article: Rogers Aeroscience announces release of the RASAero aerodynamic analysis Wow, how did I miss this (Checked, because it's not in Design & Concepts) Now i'm going to have to revive my 2G harddrive with the ALT4 package on it and update everything. I have been waiting for a Windows version for a long time. .....Just when I thought I had nothing to do this weekend Chuck, Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us.