Dr. Bob's Cool Stuff - Copyright 2013-2018 - All Rights Reserved
Info & Tips
General Information
This Web App shows the path of an object (yellow sphere) launched from near Earth. This launched object could be a man-made satellite, a spacecraft, or an asteroid. Below are specific details and instructions for this application. Good Luck!
Mass of Earth: M = 5.9736 × 1024 kg
Radius of Earth: Ro = 6371 km or 6.371 × 106 m
Launch Paths calculated using the Law of Gravity, F = ( G M m ) / R2, and Newton's Second law, F = m a
App Information and Ideas for Exploration
Minimum Launch Distance is 6871 km ( 500 km above the surface ) and Maximum Launch Distance is 31855 km
Launch Distance is measured from the center of Earth - not from its surface
Launch Distances are in kilometers (km) and Launch Speeds are in meters per second (m/s)
positions are plotted at equal time intervals
period is the time needed for one complete orbit
eccentricity = 0.000 for circular orbit
eccentricity < 1.000 for elliptical orbit
eccentricity ≥ 1.000 - no orbit possible - path leads to escape from Earth!
Launch Test #1
Launch Distance: 8000
Try these Launch Speeds: 5000, 6700, 6800, 8000, 9500, 10000
Launch Test #2
Launch Distance: 15000
Try these Launch Speeds: 4000, 6000, 7000, 7300
Launch Test #3
Launch Distance: 28000
Try these Launch Speeds: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 5350