Third-party compatibility

Preface

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Third-Party Software

FinSim

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RASAero II

Overview

RASAero is a combined aerodynamic analysis and flight simulation software package for model rockets and high power rockets, amateur rockets, and sounding rockets. The RASAero aerodynamic prediction methods are the most accurate available for model, high power, and amateur rockets, and are of equivalent accuracy to professional engineering method aerodynamic analysis codes used for missiles, sounding rockets, and space launch vehicles.

RASAero can also be used for predicting aerodynamic coefficients for use in other flight simulation programs for orbital rockets

Obtaining RASAero II

The RASAero II application was developed by Charles E. Rogers and David Cooper, and may be obtained from Rogers Aeroscience at:

RASAero.com

Compatibility

RASAero II imports the Outer Mold Line (OML) of the rocket from the design file, not any of the internal components, and RASAero II does not handle ring fins, or strap-on boosters. Simply put, the OML consists of the outer lines of only the rocket nose cone, body tubes, and fins, no other components. However, RASAero also analyses nose cone tip radius, launch shoes, 6 additional fin airfoil section types, and protuberances such as camera shrouds, none of which OpenRocket features.

OpenRocket does not export a design file directly into the RASAero II file format. However, OpenRocket does export a design file into the Rocksim file format, which RASAero II directly imports. At this time, to ensure that the process of importing such a file into RASAero II is successful, it is recommended that the following steps be followed:

1. Save a copy of the design file using a different name; this file will be stripped of all incompatible components.
2. Delete all components except those necessary to create the Outer Mold Line (OML); leave only the rocket nose cone, body tubes, transitions, launch lugs, and fins (without fin tabs).
3. Save the modified design file.
4. Open the modified design file in OpenRocket 15.03.
5. Save the modified design as a RockSim (.rkt) file.
6. Open RASAero II and import the previously saved RockSim (.rkt) design file.

Please Note: Although RASAero II is the most accurate aerodynamic analytic for use in model rocketry, it is not without limitations which can prevent the correct importation of a design file. By way of example, RASAero II fin shapes are limited, and fins featuring a convex angle or other non-standard profiles will not import correctly.