# Rocket Lab

> Educational simulation for designing, building, and launching virtual rockets. (iPhone/iPad app by Smithsonian Institution.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-lab/id1071252785 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Smithsonian Institution](https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865)
- Category: Education, Games
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.92/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 13 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 218 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2016-02-02
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-lab/id1071252785/reviews.md

## What is Rocket Lab?

What does it take to be a rocket scientist?

You are a rocket engineer for a space exploration company. Your job is to design a series of rockets and attempt suborbital, orbital, and escape velocity missions. Successfully designing and launching a rocket into space is extremely difficult, expensive, and full of tough choices.

Rocket components such as shape, propellant, control system, and staging affect the way a rocket flies. With each new mission, you must take into consideration each component’s reliability, cost, and performance. Have you chosen a powerful enough propellant? Is your control system prone to high failure rates? Failure is not an option here! The decisions you make will directly affect the success or failure of your rocket – and your space exploration company – because this is rocket science.

With the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's Rocket Lab, you can:
- Build a virtual rocket by choosing its shape, number of stages, propellant, and control mechanism
- Personalize your rocket with your name
- Launch your rocket and watch how well it flies
- Modify your rocket to test out different combinations and achieve mission success

## Key features

- Design virtual rockets
- Choose rocket components
- Personalize rocket name
- Launch and observe flight
- Modify for mission success
- Explore different mission types

## Recent user reviews (10 of 13)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-lab/id1071252785/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Dead game but good

*2026-01-11, version 1.0*

I finish all levels but sadly it only has 3

### 3/5 — Good but there’s something I wish it had

*2023-12-24, version 1.0*

It’s good but there should be more levels and you shouldn’t
have to click “Name It!” when naming your rocket.

### 1/5 — Waste of time

*2022-08-03, version 1.0*

After you have designed the rocket there is no way to flight test it.

### 3/5 — Okay game

*2021-02-15, version 1.0*

Designing the rockets is cool but when they fail it’s kinda painful, also I don’t like changing my design because of “not enough thrust”.

### 1/5 — So bad

*2020-11-28, version 1.0*

I did complete sun orbit mission but it is easy to fail level 2 I want controls in the game so you can control the rocket so there is no dangerous stuff

### 1/5 — This game is garbage

*2020-11-02, version 1.0*

I keep failing and failing and I never get it right the only thing I do when I got it right One time but I don’t seem to make it the other times this game is garbage and I don’t even like it a little bit and you should’ve never made this game it is garbage.

### 5/5 — Great game!

*2020-05-01, version 1.0*

The white writing on white background makes it hard to read the writing, but other than that it’s a great game!

### 1/5 — Bad

*2020-03-07, version 1.0*

It’s not good it’s awful

### 1/5 — You shared my location

*2019-05-04, version 1.0*

Told everyone in the world where I live

### 1/5 — I HATE IT

*2019-02-08, version 1.0*

ITS RIGED

## Frequently asked questions about Rocket Lab

### What is Rocket Lab?

Rocket Lab is an educational simulation app developed by the Smithsonian Institution that allows users to design, build, and launch virtual rockets. It focuses on the engineering decisions involved in space missions.

### What components can I customize in Rocket Lab?

You can customize the rocket's shape, number of stages, propellant type, and control mechanism. You can also personalize your rocket with your name.

### What types of missions can be attempted in Rocket Lab?

Rocket Lab allows you to attempt suborbital, orbital, and escape velocity missions. The success of these missions depends on the design choices you make for your rocket.

### Is Rocket Lab available on Android devices?

Based on the provided data, Rocket Lab is currently only supported on iPad devices. It is not listed as available for Android smartphones or tablets.

### How often is Rocket Lab updated?

Rocket Lab was last updated on February 2, 2016, with version 1.0. There have been no subsequent updates listed, indicating it may be a legacy application.

### What is the user rating for Rocket Lab?

Rocket Lab has a user rating of 2.9 stars based on 13 ratings. This suggests a mixed reception from its user base.

### Does Rocket Lab have ads?

No, Rocket Lab does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use without any ad interruptions.

### What is the age rating for Rocket Lab?

Rocket Lab has an age rating of 4+. This means it is considered suitable for children aged 4 and older, making it accessible for younger learners interested in space.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2016-02-02

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

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All apps by Smithsonian Institution: https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*