# Rocket Trail > Rocket launch simulator with physics analysis and real-time weather integration. (iPhone/iPad app by John Doll.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-trail/id992093049 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [John Doll](https://appshunter.io/developer/445229278) - Category: Utilities, Education - Price: $0.99 - Rating: 2.63/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 2 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2015-05-28 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-trail/id992093049/reviews.md ## What is Rocket Trail? Rocket Trail for iPhone is a fantastic tool for any rocketeer! Now, you can simulate a launch of any Estes rocket in the palm of your hand, hit the launch site with this must-have tools. Rocket Trail allows you to select a rocket, parachute and engine, and it will calculate the projected altitude of your launch. Rocket Trail calculates the effects from weathercocking and drift to predict your rockets landing zone using current realtime weather data. How cool is that! Dig into the data and examine the physics involved with your launch. View your rockets . Altitude . Velocity . Acceleration . Engine Thrust Curve . Forces acting on your Rocket . Drift effects from Wind Rocket Trail can also be used to measure you rockets actual launch altitude. Set the location of your launch site and your distance is calculated using your GPS location. Augmented reality is used to help locate your rockets predicted launch altitude and display measurements. ## Key features - Rocket launch simulation - Altitude, velocity, and acceleration tracking - Engine thrust curve analysis - Weathercocking and drift calculations - Real-time weather data integration - GPS-based launch site measurement - Augmented reality for altitude display ## Recent user reviews (10 of 10) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocket-trail/id992093049/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Useless, won't load motor data *2022-08-21* It's useless because you try to select a motor but nothing happens. I've deleted the app, reinstalled it, have to enter all the rocket data again, you bring up the motor list, no matter how many times you click on the motor, nothing happens. It'd be simpler just to add the motor data manually as with the rocket model. It might be a good program... if it worked. The app does nothing. ### 1/5 — Seems abandoned *2022-07-31* Rocket(s) won’t load therefore nothing to calculate. No support. Money wasted ### 5/5 — Great App *2021-05-31* Kids and I love it, use it every time. Miss all the built in Estes rockets and engines though ### 4/5 — Good app for ESTIMATING the landing area *2019-07-04, version 1.0.3* This app works good for MOST Estes rockets, however the list is not complete. The observe function works good for calculating the altitude and distance of the rocket. I have not had any problems with the app crashing. Other than not including a few rockets I was able to find some similar rockets, at least in height as this is what truly matters. The list of engines is not complete either, but on most Estes rockets you are given multiple engines, which have roughly the same result. This app is not 100% accurate, but does work for estimating the landing area. ### 1/5 — Don't even *2017-08-07* This app isn't even worth 99 cents. I bought and installed it today, and will uninstall it momentarily. You can select a rocket-engine-chute combination (including ones that make no sense), IF you can manage to find your rocket and engine in the long lists (there is a fairly useless search capability). Then you can identify your launch location and see a "bullseye" around that location. There's no indication or explanation for what the different concentric circles represent in the Launch Site "bullseye." There are a bunch of fairly useless charts provided as well. You cannot add rockets or engines, or see any detailed stats that would help you to know what they are using in their calculations. I want my 99 cents back. ### 1/5 — Crashes *2017-07-02* I used once and now I can't use it ### 1/5 — Incomplete *2017-01-16* Missing rockets, and I was unable to select any engines whatsoever, making this app useless. ### 2/5 — Technically good, functionally incomplete *2016-12-29* The lists of rockets and engines could be more complete and cleaned up some for a better user experience. The results are fairly accurate, but there are opportunities for improvement, especially in usability. Good additions would be: * Save configurations with photos and user info (kit info, build date, notes) * Log launches including, photos/video, maps with plotted locations and other relevant data. * Export It's a good start, but incomplete. For a paid app there should be more to it. ### 1/5 — Incomplete and crashes *2016-04-07* The description led me to believe the list would include all Estes rockets. Instead it's a very short incomplete list leaving out Estes kits such as the 2157 Saturn V, Maxi Brute V2, Big Daddy, and too many more to name here. The app also crashed the 3rd time using it and required deleting and downloading it again so it would work. Update: still crashes and seems just random now when it does leaving it unusable until I delete and download again. I'm having these problems on the iPhone 6 Plus which is up to date and not jail broken. ### 2/5 — Ok, it crashes so therefore it adds aggravation. *2015-06-10* What it says the app is I like the idea, but it crashes. Started out seemingly fine, first time I picked the rocket then as soon as I picked the engine it immediately crashed and kept crashing after that as soon as it opened. Restarted iPhone 6 thinking that might help but does the same thing, then I deleted and reinstalled it and it seemed to work better and got to play around with it and still crashed but I could open it back up this time. Like I said, I like what the app promises and soon as it's fixed and it doesn't crash I'll definitely change the star rating. I put two stars but I'm sure most would put one star being as how it doesn't do anything except crashing to the home screen often. My iPhone 6 has the latest updates, Thanks ## Frequently asked questions about Rocket Trail ### What is Rocket Trail? Rocket Trail is a utility app that allows users to simulate rocket launches, calculate projected altitude, and predict landing zones using real-time weather data and GPS. ### How much does Rocket Trail cost? Rocket Trail is a paid app, priced at $0.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements. ### What devices is Rocket Trail compatible with? Rocket Trail is available for iPhone and iPod devices. ### What is the age rating for Rocket Trail? Rocket Trail has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. ### How often is Rocket Trail updated? The latest version of Rocket Trail, 1.4.0, was released on May 5, 2021. Updates are not frequent, with the last update being over two years ago. ### Does Rocket Trail have ads? No, Rocket Trail is ad-free. Users can enjoy the simulation and analysis features without interruptions from advertisements. ### What kind of physics data does Rocket Trail provide? Rocket Trail provides detailed physics data including altitude, velocity, acceleration, engine thrust curve, forces acting on the rocket, and drift effects from wind. ### Can Rocket Trail measure actual launch altitude? Yes, Rocket Trail can be used to measure your rocket's actual launch altitude by setting the launch site location and using your GPS for distance calculation. Augmented reality is also used to help locate and display measurements for the predicted launch altitude. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4.0 — 2021-05-05 The old inventory of rocket models has been removed from the app. Instead simple rocket parameters can be used to approximate a model otherwise single stage Open Rocket models can be added for more precise detailed modeling. The old inventory of Engines has also been removed. RASP and RS thrust curves can be imported or downloaded directly from within the app. * Add support for Open Rocket Models * Add support for Rasp Thrust Curves * Add support for RS Thrust Curves * Integration with Files App - Manage Rocket models - Manage Thrust Curves - Manage Simulation CSV data * Download Thrust Curves * Support manual wind settings ### 1.3.0 — 2020-07-30 * Added support for launch angle and offset from the current wind direction * Bug fixes ### 1.2.0 — 2019-11-09 * Bug Fixes * Improvements to wind variation estimates * Improvements to support OS 13 * Improvements to Rocket Tracking to use AR ### 1.1.0 — 2019-07-29 * New User Interface * Manage multiple rocket configurations * Updated part database ### 1.0.3 — 2017-07-10 * Fixed application hang/crashes * Fixed zero mass rockets causing invalid flight data ## More apps by John Doll - [Transit.Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/transittracker/id659183692) All apps by John Doll: https://appshunter.io/developer/445229278 --- *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 2026-06-10.*