Rocket Designer

Build your paper rocket visually — real-time stability analysis, mass budget, and Barrowman CP calculation

Live Rocket Visualization

View from nose (looking aft)
Paper body
Packing tape gloss
Electrical tape
Fins
CG center of gravity
CP center of pressure

Body Configuration

Rocket is rolled around this tube

2
1 wrap4 wraps
11.5"
6"24"
Computed Properties
Inner diameter (fits tube)0.840"
Wall thickness
Outer diameter
Paper mass
Packing tape mass

Nose Cone

Paper cone taped on with electrical tape. No cone = great for little kids!

2.0"
2" (short)6" (tall)
1
010
0 g
0 g30 g (scrap paper & tape)
Computed Properties
Nose Cd contribution
Cone height
Cone half-angle
Nose mass (total)

Fin Configuration

1.8"
0.5"6"
0.5"
0"4"
0.5"
0.1"4"
75°
80°
2.0°
0° no spin30° max spin
0.0"
flush with tail11" (near nose)
Computed Properties
Per-fin area
Per-fin mass
Total fin mass
Estimated spin

Forward Fins (Canards)

Forward fins (canards) shift CP forward, reducing stability margin. Use sparingly - they can make the rocket less stable but more maneuverable. Not recommended for beginners.

Electrical Tape (Balance Weight)

5
110
0%
Front of tubeTail end
Computed
Tape mass added
Tape position (from front of tube)
Electrical tape near the front of the body tube shifts CG forward, increasing stability margin. More wraps = more mass = greater nose-heavy shift. Position is measured along the body tube only (0% = front of tube, regardless of nose cone).

Mass Budget

Total Rocket Mass
In ounces

Stability Analysis (Barrowman Method)

Center of Gravity from nose
Center of Pressure from nose
CG (blue) and CP (red) position along rocket length:
CG
CP
Nose tip (0")Tail end
Stability Margin
calibers (diameters)
Calculating…
Stability range
<0.5 unstable 0.5-1 marginal 1-3 stable >4 overstable
Stability Advice
Adjust parameters to see stability tips.
Barrowman Component Breakdown
Nose normal force coeff (Cn)
Nose CP from nose tip
Fin normal force coeff (Cn)
Fin CP from nose tip
Total Cn
Fin-body interference Kfb

Aerodynamic Properties

Total Drag Cd
Est. Spin (RPM)
Reynolds No.
Nose Drag Cd
Body Friction Cd
Fin Drag Cd
Canted fins create gyroscopic spin stabilization like a rifled bullet.

Design Templates

🎯
The Dart
Minimal drag, heavy nose
🎈
The Floater
Max hang time
🌀
The Spinner
High spin stabilization
📏
Distance King
Max horizontal range
🏢
Sky Scraper
Max altitude

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