RockSim Software officially recognized as a Certified Space Educational Product

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jul. 29, 2005) — The Space Foundation announced today that it has approved RockSim, model rocket design and simulation software from Apogee Components, as a Certified Space Educational Product. This certification indicates to educators and parents that RockSim can be used to stimulate and encourage a student’s interest in and knowledge about space. “RockSim is an exciting tool to assist students with conceptualizing rocket construction and launch capabilities, which can increase their interest in pursuing further science, technology, engineering, and math education,” said Dr. Patricia Arnold, the Space Foundation’s vice president of education and workforce development. According to Apogee Components, the software is already in use by more than 850 schools throughout the United States. It simplifies the rocket design process by allowing students to stretch-and-pull common shapes into any size rocket. Based on the shape, weight, and dimensions, the software then calculates how high and fast the rocket will fly with any commercially available model rocket engine. It also checks the stability of the rocket prior to flight so the designed rocket will fly a straight and safe trajectory path. Tim Van Milligan, president of Apogee Components, said, “I’m thrilled RockSim has received this special certification from the Space Foundation. Our software really sparks an interest in learning science because kids want to know more about how to make rockets travel higher, faster, and straighter. They need to know science to do that.” The Space Foundation, in cooperation with NASA, created the Space Certification Program to promote extraordinary products and services that bring the benefits of space technology home to Earth and enhance public interest and awareness in space. For more information about the Space Certification program, visit www.SpaceConnection.org. About Apogee Components Founded in 1989, Apogee’s mission has been to learn about rocketry and provide students and hobbyists the tools to make rockets fly higher and faster and stay in the air longer. Apogee developed RockSim software to allow users to design any size rocket, simulate its flight, and find the best rocket motor combinations for existing kits while teaching the physics of rocket flight. Modelers, teachers, professional engineers, and hobbyists have used RockSim to design and fly tens of thousands of rockets. They can quickly test design concepts and obtain results that are accurate and reliable. The RockSim software is available for both Windows and Macintosh OS X computers. A free 30-day trial version can be downloaded at www.ApogeeRockets.com/rocksim.asp. For more information, contact Tim Van Milligan at 719-535-9335. About The Space Foundation Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Space Foundation annually conducts, along with its partnering organizations, Strategic Space 2005, Oct. 4-6, in Omaha, Neb.; Florida Space 2005, Nov. 15-17 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Fla.; and the Foundation’s signature event, the National Space Symposium, April 3-6, 2006, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.