Orbiter launch simulation

Orbiter, a realistic space flight simulator program, is used to explore the key concepts of rocket science including Newton's three laws of motion.

Rocket variables investigation

Throughout the workshop students will experiment with their rocket's thrust, mass and fuel volume to determine the impact these variables have on their rocket's altitude.

Highest altitude challenge

To conclude the workshop students participate in a rocket challenge. Through experimentation they will determine the optimal variables to launch their rocket to the highest altitude.

Workshop overview

Year level 7-9
Capacity 16-32 students. If you want to bring more students, email highschool.workshops@qut.edu.au
When School days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Duration Half day
Where QUT Gardens Point, Science and Engineering Centre
Cost Free (Late cancellation fees apply. See terms and conditions).

Workshop details

Students compete to launch virtual rockets to the highest altitude in a spaceflight simulator program. They explore the basic concepts of rocket science, explore the definitions of terms such as rocket mass, fuel mass, thrust, and burn time and how these affect the trajectory of the rocket. They use their findings to manipulate the software code, to select the optimal fuel mixture and throttle settings, and pit their rockets against each other in a bid for the highest altitude.

Topics covered in this workshop:

  • junior physics
  • junior chemistry
  • technology.

Book this workshop

We are taking bookings for term 1 and 2, 2025.

Book now

Curriculum links

Year 7

  • Change to an object’s motion is caused by unbalanced forces, including Earth's gravitational attraction, acting on the object (ACSSU117)

Year 8

  • Energy appears in different forms, including movement (kinetic energy), heat and potential energy, and energy transformations and transfers cause change within systems (ACSSU155)

Year 9

  • Chemical reactions, including combustion and the reactions of acids, are important in both non-living and living systems and involve energy transfer (ACSSU179)
  • Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically (ACSIS164)
  • Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence (ACSIS170)

Contact us

If you have any questions, comments or feedback about the QUT High School Student Connections program, we'd love to hear from you.

3138 1801