Orbital Mechanics Simulator

Launch a satellite and see how altitude and speed decide whether it orbits, crashes, or escapes.

a = GM / r²v_circ = √(GM / r)v_esc = √(2GM / r)

Set the altitude and launch speed with the sliders.
Try the LEO, GPS MEO, and GEO presets for real circular orbits.
Too slow and it crashes; too fast and it escapes. In between it's elliptical.
Press Show Fc to see the centripetal force, or take the Challenges.

or press any key