Launcher
Randy's Itty Bitty
Java Rocket Flight Simulator
The Applet
- Enter the values
for your rocket.
- Push the "Launch"
button.
- Once the rocket's
launched, the time to peak altitude is displayed, along with the altitude,
velocity and acceleration at that point in time.
- You can enter a
different time value and see precisely the altitude, velocity, and acceleration
corresponding to that time.
- The rocket tracker
graph displays a gray cursor marking the computed time point.
- Change the rocket
values and launch again for a new flight trajectory.
The Source Code
Have fun with the
code. Save it, change it, and make your own rocket simulator. Some suggested
upgrades: add labeling to the graph axes to show the scale. Include thrust
curves, and change "Impulse" entry to a Choice list for selecting
an engine. Allow user entry of an arbitrary thrust curve. Add a velocity
trace. Whatever else you can think of. Hey, the sky's the limit.
Main applet code:
Launcher.java
Helper classes:
ControlPanel.java
Tracker.java
Back to Rocket Simulation Page
Back to Rocket Equations Page
Questions
Your questions and comments regarding this page are welcome.
You can e-mail Randy Culp for inquiries,
suggestions, new ideas or just to chat.
Updated 24 August 2008