Pick your engine, fuel, fins, nose cone, and payload — then hit launch. Every choice changes how high you go, and we show you exactly why: thrust beating gravity, drag pushing back, and fins keeping you pointed at the sky.
Every push has an equal push back. The engine throws hot gas downward, so the gas throws the rocket upward. That upward shove is what we call thrust.
Add up the rocket's weight (mass × gravity) and divide thrust by it. Above 1, you lift off. The bigger the number, the faster and taller the climb.
Air pushes back as you fly. A pointed nose slips through with less drag than a flat one. Fins help you steer, but each one adds a little drag too.
Fuel is heavy, but you burn it as you climb, so the rocket keeps getting lighter and speeds up. More fuel helps — until its weight costs more than it gives.
Fins keep the nose aimed up. Too few and the rocket tumbles and wastes its energy; a couple gives a steady 'stability margin.' Far too many just adds drag.
Apogee is the highest point of the flight. The rocket climbs while the engine burns, then coasts upward on its speed until gravity finally wins.