Simulators for
Rockets & Robots
Tutorial & Lab
Dion Paul
HS Teacher Summer Program
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Agenda
Time
Tutorial
9:00am - 9:30am
Overview of Simulators
My Experience
 A Simulator for Rockets - RockSim
A Simulator for Robots – RoboLogix
Lab Activity I
9:30am - 10:45am
RockSim
Break
10:45am - 11:10am
Lab Activity II:
11:10am – 12:10pm
RoboLogix
 Questions/Discussion
Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview
What is simulation?

The use of a model to imitate the
operation of a real-world process or
system over time
Model: key characteristics
 Operation: behavior
Computer simulation:
 Attempts to model a real-life or
hypothetical situation on a
computer in order to gain a better
understanding of its operation
 Variables in the model can be
modified, and predictions can be
made about the system’s behavior
Computer simulation is useful in
modeling:
 Natural systems in physics,
chemistry, biology,
 Human systems in economics
and social science (computational
sociology)
 Electronic and other engineering
systems, for example network
traffic.
Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview
Applications of Simulation
 Performance optimization
 Engineering: safety testing
 Video games
 Scientific modeling of natural systems
or human systems to gain operational
insight.
 Used to display the eventual real
effects of alternative conditions and
courses of action.
Simulation is also used when the real
system cannot be engaged, due to:
 Inaccessible or dangerous
 It is being designed but not yet
built, or it may simply not exist.
Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview
Microsoft® Flight Simulator X
 Allows user to be immersed in a beautifully rich and realistic world
with dozens of aircraft and interactive missions.
 Missions allows users to fly anywhere in the world, all from their
personal computer or similar device
Users of all ages and skill levels feel
firsthand what it’s like to be an
aviator traveling the globe solo or
online with others
Screenshot – Flight Simulator
Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview
The Sims
 Award-winning series that created the Life Simulation genre.
 Users are allowed to do things which may be impossible in
real life.
 It is a strategic life-simulation video game developed by
Maxis and published by Electronic Arts.
 It simulates the daily activities of one or more virtual
persons (Sims) in a suburban household near SimCity.
Screenshot – The Sims
Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview
Farmville
 A farming simulation social
network game developed by Zynga
in 2009.
Gameplay involves general farm
management such as plowing land,
planting, growing and harvesting
crops, harvesting trees and bushes,
and raising livestock.
 It is available as an Adobe Flash
application via the socialnetworking website Facebook and
Microsoft's MSN Games, and also
as app for the iPhone, iPod Touch
and iPad.
As of September 2011, FarmVille
is the third most popular Facebook
game, behind CityVille and The
Sims Social.
Screenshot - Farmville
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience
2011-2012 NASA University Student Launch Initiative (USLI)
Team Name: FAMU Diamondbacks (@FAMUDBacks)
Mission: To win the USLI rocket competition by successfully launching and
recovering a rocket to an altitude of 1 mile (5,280 feet).
Highlights:
 NASA USLI presented a unique opportunity that had not been pursued before at
FAMU.
 Project aimed to open the eyes of FAMU students, as well as encourage students
to step out of their comfort zone and gain new experiences.
 FAMU DBacks focused on designing the most creative and innovative rocket
which will reach the required altitude and possess maximum safety and efficiency.
FAMU DBacks also planned to integrate the most creative and innovative science
payload into our rocket design.
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience
FAMU Diamondbacks Project Budget
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience
RockSim software used to simulate rocket flight
 Crucial in rocket design, construction and implementation
 Mandatory step required by NASA before rocket is launched
 Important modifications made based on simulation results
 Result: FAMU Diamondbacks, 1st Place Altitute Award, 2012 NASA USLI
Simulators for Rockets & Robots
A Simulator for Rockets
RockSim Tutorial
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim
RockSim is a computer program that allows you to design any size rocket, and
then simulate its flight to see how high, and how fast it will fly.
 User is able to find out if it is stable and safe to launch even before starting to
build the creation.
Used by NASA scientists, amateur clubs and even high school kids.
Simulates the design, implementation and flight of real rockets and several
models.
Allows users to build their own rocket, or choose from available model
designs.
Users can quickly see the likely effects of design changes, hopefully
preventing crashes and lost work.
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim
Screenshot – Rocket Design and Construction in RockSim
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim
Screenshot – Rocket Simulation in RockSim
• RockSim Demo
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEWRlu4K7ts
Simulators for Rockets & Robots
A Simulator for Robots
RoboLogix Tutorial
Simulators for Rockets & Robots - RoboLogix
Designed primarily as an education tool, ideal for students,
robot designers and engineers.
Provides all the power and functionality of professional
software costing thousands of dollars via a user-friendly 3D
interface.
Robotic programs can be tested and debugged in a safe,
non-hazardous environment using accurate simulations.
Simulated robot data is accessible without tying up
programming time on an actual robot.
A control panel is included with RoboLogix that allows the
user to issues command to the robot model in the
simulated environment.
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RoboLogix

Screenshot – Work Envelope in RoboLogix
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RoboLogix
Screenshot – Crumpled Box in RoboLogix
• RoboLogix Demo
Simulators for Rockets & Robots
Simulators for Rockets & Robots
Lab Activity I
RockSim Lab
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Lab Activity I
• Follow instructions on lab document.
• Video Guide - RockSim Lab
• http://www.cis.famu.edu/~dpaul/courses/
Simulators for Rockets & Robots
Lab Activity II
RoboLogix Lab
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Lab Activity II
• Follow instructions on lab document.
• Video Guide - RoboLogix
• http://www.cis.famu.edu/~dpaul/courses/
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Additional Resources
RockSim:
http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocksim/Rocksim_information/
RoboLogix:
http://www.robologix.com
Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Questions/Discussion