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Space & Orbital Mechanics Simulators

Orbital mechanics, rocket propulsion, satellite orbits, gravity assists, and atmospheric re-entry — interactive tools for space engineering.

— simulators
SIMULATORS
Atmospheric Entry
Explore Apollo, Shuttle & Starship reentry heating. Adjust velocity, angle & design to calculate peak g-load, heat flux & wall temperature in this simulator.
Ballistic Orbit
Simulate satellite orbits with our Keplerian Orbit Simulator. Adjust parameters like semi-major axis and eccentricity to visualize elliptical paths and compute
Gravity Well
Explore gravity's effects with this interactive simulator. Visualize orbits, warp spacetime, and build intuition for physics concepts like general relativity.
Kepler Orbit
Simulate planetary orbits with Kepler's Laws. Adjust parameters to visualize elliptical motion, the equal-area law, and verify the harmonic law in real time.
N Body Gravity
Simulate gravitational orbits, collisions, and mergers in real time. Explore solar systems, binary stars, and the figure-8 solution with this N-body physics sim
Orbital Mechanics
Visualize elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic orbits in real-time. Calculate velocity at any point using the vis-viva equation. Includes presets for LEO, ISS,
Orbital Transfer
Simulate a Hohmann orbital transfer. Set orbit radii to instantly calculate delta-v, transfer time, and watch an animated spacecraft journey.
Rocket Equation
Calculate rocket delta-v for up to 3 stages. Configure mass, Isp, and add gravity or drag losses with this Tsiolkovsky equation tool.
Rocket Propulsion
Simulate rocket engine performance. Apply the Tsiolkovsky equation, calculate thrust & Δv. Compare LH2/LOX, kerosene, solid, and storable propellants.
Rocket Staging
Real-time ΔV and payload fraction for 1–3 stage rockets via the Tsiolkovsky equation. Saturn V, Falcon 9, Ariane 5, H-IIA presets. Canvas rocket diagram with st
Satellite Orbit
Visualize satellite orbits in real time. Adjust altitude, inclination, and RAAN. Calculate period, velocity, and coverage.
Satellite Power
Calculate satellite power budgets in real time. Supports LEO, MEO, GEO orbits. Compute solar array size, battery capacity, eclipse duration, DoD, and EOL power.
Satellite Thermal
Calculate spacecraft thermal balance with solar flux, Earth IR, albedo & internal power. Compute equilibrium temperatures and radiator sizing for sunlit/eclipse
Slingshot Maneuver
Simulate gravity assist maneuvers in real-time. Adjust planet mass, velocity, and angle to see orbital changes powered by accurate physics and RK4 integration.
Solar System
Explore a real-time solar system simulator visualizing planetary orbits and demonstrating Kepler's Laws of planetary motion.
Three Body
Visualize the three-body problem in real-time. Explore gravitational interactions, periodic orbits, and conserved quantities like energy and angular momentum.
Tidal Forces
Visualize tidal acceleration a=2GMr/d³. Interactively calculate Earth's tidal bulge from Moon and Sun gravity, Roche limit distance, spring tides and neap tides
Hubble Law Simulator
Interactive Hubble Law Simulator simulator — calculate and visualize engineering parameters in real time using industry-standard methods.
Solar System Scale Simulator
Interactive Solar System Scale Simulator simulator — calculate and visualize engineering parameters in real time using industry-standard methods.
Atmosphere Layers Simulator
Interactive Atmosphere Layers Simulator simulator — calculate and visualize engineering parameters in real time using industry-standard methods.
Orbital Mechanics Simulator
Interactive Orbital Mechanics Simulator simulator — calculate and visualize engineering parameters in real time using industry-standard methods.
Moon Phase Calendar
Interactive Moon Phase Calendar simulator — calculate and visualize engineering parameters in real time using industry-standard methods.
Rocket Thrust Simulator
Interactive Rocket Thrust Simulator simulator — calculate and visualize engineering parameters in real time using industry-standard methods.
Escape Velocity Simulator
Calculate escape velocity from mass and radius of celestial bodies and compare across the solar system.
Kepler Laws Simulator
Visualize Kepler first, second and third laws through orbital animation and equal-area sweep demonstration.

Other Categories

Structural Analysis Fluid & CFD Thermal Analysis Electromagnetics Vibration & Dynamics Fracture & Materials Controls & Signal Math & Numerical V&V & Accuracy Manufacturing Physics & Basics Mechanical Design Geotechnical Acoustics Chemistry & Biochem Optics Quantum & Nuclear Environment

Space & Orbital Mechanics Fundamentals

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How much delta-v does it take to get to the Moon?
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A trans-lunar injection from low Earth orbit requires about 3.1 km/s of Δv. The Tsiolkovsky rocket equation gives Δv = Isp × g₀ × ln(m0/mf). With Isp ≈ 450 s for cryogenic engines, reaching the Moon needs a mass ratio of about 2:1 — half the initial mass is propellant.
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What makes a gravity assist (slingshot) actually add speed?
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In the planet's reference frame, the spacecraft enters and exits at the same speed. But in the Sun's frame, the planet's orbital velocity adds to the spacecraft velocity component. Voyager 2 gained ~11 km/s from the Jupiter flyby. The planet slows imperceptibly — momentum is conserved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How are Hohmann transfer orbits calculated?

A: A Hohmann transfer uses two burns to move between circular orbits. Δv₁ = √(μ/r₁) × (√(2r₂/(r₁+r₂)) - 1) at the lower orbit; Δv₂ = √(μ/r₂) × (1 - √(2r₁/(r₁+r₂))) at the higher. Earth to Mars Hohmann Δv ≈ 2.9 km/s total.

Q: What is specific impulse (Isp)?

A: Isp = F/(ṁ×g₀) in seconds — thrust per unit weight flow rate of propellant. Higher Isp means more efficient propellant use. Chemical rockets: 250–460 s. Ion engines: 1000–10000 s. Isp = v_exhaust/g₀, so high exhaust velocity is key.

Q: How does atmospheric drag affect satellite orbits?

A: Drag force F = ½ρv²CdA. In LEO (200–400 km), residual atmosphere causes orbital decay. The International Space Station loses ~2 km altitude per month and must be reboosted. Satellites in higher orbits (>600 km) have lifetimes of centuries.

Q: What is the difference between GEO and LEO?

A: LEO (160–2000 km): low latency (~20 ms), small footprint, needs many satellites for coverage. GEO (35,786 km): stationary over one point, covers ⅓ of Earth, latency ~240 ms. MEO (GPS, 20,200 km) is between. Each orbit is optimal for different applications.