Orbital Trajectory

A simulation of orbital trajectories using the d3-force simulation engine with the gravity-like d3-force-magnetic attraction force.

The initial tangential velocity of the blue orbiting body can be set relative to its orbital speed, calculated as √(GM/d). A factor of 1x (default) results in a perfectly circular orbit. Approaching the factor of √2x reaches the body's escape velocity, causing the body to drift away from the central object's gravity pull in an hyperbolic trajectory. Factors below 1 will cause a quicker fall of the blue body towards the attracting center, yielding elliptic orbits with increasing eccentricity.

The length of the pre-estimated trajectory can be manipulated by changing the number of samples (represented as dots).

See also Force-simulated Solar System and Hierarchical Orbits.