Simulations

How to run each project (local + browser options where supported)

Important

GitHub Pages is a static website. It can show the code, text, and plots — but it can’t run Python on the page.

What can I do next?

If you want the full experience (interactive Matplotlib windows, keyboard controls, smooth animation): run locally.
If you want “click and run in browser”:
- Notebooks: Binder / Colab
- Dashboards: Open the Dashboard Hub (Binder)

Module 1 — Foundations

Rocket Ascent Simulator

What it is: A launch simulation with thrust, drag, gravity losses, and live telemetry.
Next step: Run it and watch how a gravity turn changes the trajectory.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Rocket_Ascent_Simulator
pip install -r requirements.txt
python simulation.py

Conic Orbit Visualizer

What it is: Explore circular/elliptic/hyperbolic trajectories and the meaning of eccentricity.
Next step: Change eccentricity and see how the orbit shape changes.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Conic_Orbit_Visualizer
pip install -r requirements.txt
python visualizer.py

Module 2 — Orbital Mechanics

Satellite Constellation Propagator

What it is: Propagate satellite orbits and visualize ground tracks / coverage (multi‑constellation examples).
Next step: Compare a LEO communications shell vs a MEO navigation system.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starlink_Propagator
pip install -r requirements.txt
python propagator.py

Mars Mission Simulator

What it is: Transfer geometry, launch windows, transit, and EDL explained step‑by‑step.
Next step: Run the mission planner, then open the porkchop plot to see why windows matter.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starship_Trajectory_Planner
pip install -r requirements.txt
python mission_planner.py
python porkchop/plotter.py

Module 3 — Propulsion & Systems

Propellant Explorer (Web App)

What it is: Compare propellants (Isp + density), balance combustion ratios, and compute (v) with sliders.
Next step: Open the web app and try to design a rocket that reaches LEO.

Docs: README
Run locally:

cd src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Propellant_Explorer
pip install -r requirements.txt
streamlit run app.py

Run in browser (Binder, one‑click): Launch Propellant Explorer

Launch Vehicle Trade Simulator

What it is: Explore how (I_{sp}), dry mass, propellant, and mission target change payload capability.
Next step: Try “Moon” vs “Mars” and see how quickly payload collapses.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Starship_Trade_Simulator
pip install -r requirements.txt
python trade_simulator.py

Constellation Designer

What it is: Design constellation shells and visualize coverage concepts (Walker patterns, geometry).
Next step: Compare architectures for comms vs Earth observation.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Constellation_Designer
pip install -r requirements.txt
python designer.py

Module 4 — Human Factors & Policy

Crew Safety Simulator

What it is: Visualize g‑loads and vibration response with a mass‑spring‑damper model.
Next step: Tune damping ratio and see how it changes comfort and peak loads.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Crew_Safety_Simulator
pip install -r requirements.txt
python simulator.py

Space Policy Risk Calculator

What it is: A structured way to think about regulatory + operational risk (debris, licensing, spectrum, safety).
Next step: Try different mission profiles and see how risk categories shift.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Space_Policy_Calculator
pip install -r requirements.txt
python calculator.py

Module 5 — Astrophysics & Machine Learning

Telemetry Lab (Dashboard)

What it is: A hands-on dashboard for time series telemetry, missing data, anomaly detection, and forecasting baselines.
Next step: Open the app and tune the detector settings until you understand the precision/recall tradeoff.

Docs: README · Explanation
Run locally:

cd src/Module_05_Astrophysics_ML/Projects/Telemetry_Lab
pip install -r requirements.txt
streamlit run app.py

Run in browser (Binder, one‑click): Launch Telemetry Lab

--- title: "Simulations" subtitle: "How to run each project (local + browser options where supported)" --- ::: {.callout-important} GitHub Pages is a **static** website. It can show the code, text, and plots — but it can’t run Python on the page. ::: ## What can I do next? - **If you want the full experience** (interactive Matplotlib windows, keyboard controls, smooth animation): run locally. - **If you want “click and run in browser”**: - **Notebooks**: Binder / Colab - **Dashboards**: [Open the Dashboard Hub (Binder)](https://mybinder.org/v2/gh/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/HEAD?urlpath=proxy/8500/) --- ## Module 1 — Foundations {#module-1} ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Rocket Ascent Simulator](assets/simulations/rocket_ascent.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Rocket Ascent Simulator **What it is:** A launch simulation with thrust, drag, gravity losses, and live telemetry. **Next step:** Run it and watch how a gravity turn changes the trajectory. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Rocket_Ascent_Simulator/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Rocket_Ascent_Simulator/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Rocket_Ascent_Simulator pip install -r requirements.txt python simulation.py ``` ::: ::: ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Conic Orbit Visualizer](assets/simulations/conic_orbits.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Conic Orbit Visualizer **What it is:** Explore circular/elliptic/hyperbolic trajectories and the meaning of eccentricity. **Next step:** Change eccentricity and see how the orbit shape changes. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Conic_Orbit_Visualizer/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Conic_Orbit_Visualizer/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_01_Foundations/Projects/Conic_Orbit_Visualizer pip install -r requirements.txt python visualizer.py ``` ::: ::: --- ## Module 2 — Orbital Mechanics {#module-2} ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Satellite Constellation Propagator](assets/simulations/constellation_propagator.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Satellite Constellation Propagator **What it is:** Propagate satellite orbits and visualize ground tracks / coverage (multi‑constellation examples). **Next step:** Compare a LEO communications shell vs a MEO navigation system. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starlink_Propagator/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starlink_Propagator/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starlink_Propagator pip install -r requirements.txt python propagator.py ``` ::: ::: ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Mars Mission Simulator](assets/simulations/mars_mission.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Mars Mission Simulator **What it is:** Transfer geometry, launch windows, transit, and EDL explained step‑by‑step. **Next step:** Run the mission planner, then open the porkchop plot to see why windows matter. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starship_Trajectory_Planner/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starship_Trajectory_Planner/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_02_Orbital_Mechanics/Projects/Starship_Trajectory_Planner pip install -r requirements.txt python mission_planner.py python porkchop/plotter.py ``` ::: ::: --- ## Module 3 — Propulsion & Systems {#module-3} ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Propellant Explorer web app](assets/simulations/propellant_explorer.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Propellant Explorer (Web App) **What it is:** Compare propellants (Isp + density), balance combustion ratios, and compute \(\Delta v\) with sliders. **Next step:** Open the web app and try to design a rocket that reaches LEO. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Propellant_Explorer/README.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Propellant_Explorer pip install -r requirements.txt streamlit run app.py ``` - **Run in browser (Binder, one‑click)**: [Launch Propellant Explorer](https://mybinder.org/v2/gh/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/HEAD?urlpath=proxy/8501/) ::: ::: ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Launch Vehicle Trade Simulator](assets/simulations/trade_simulator.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Launch Vehicle Trade Simulator **What it is:** Explore how \(I_{sp}\), dry mass, propellant, and mission target change payload capability. **Next step:** Try “Moon” vs “Mars” and see how quickly payload collapses. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Starship_Trade_Simulator/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Starship_Trade_Simulator/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Starship_Trade_Simulator pip install -r requirements.txt python trade_simulator.py ``` ::: ::: ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Constellation Designer](assets/simulations/constellation_designer.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Constellation Designer **What it is:** Design constellation shells and visualize coverage concepts (Walker patterns, geometry). **Next step:** Compare architectures for comms vs Earth observation. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Constellation_Designer/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Constellation_Designer/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_03_Propulsion/Projects/Constellation_Designer pip install -r requirements.txt python designer.py ``` ::: ::: --- ## Module 4 — Human Factors & Policy {#module-4} ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Crew Safety Simulator](assets/simulations/crew_safety.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Crew Safety Simulator **What it is:** Visualize g‑loads and vibration response with a mass‑spring‑damper model. **Next step:** Tune damping ratio and see how it changes comfort and peak loads. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Crew_Safety_Simulator/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Crew_Safety_Simulator/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Crew_Safety_Simulator pip install -r requirements.txt python simulator.py ``` ::: ::: ::: {.columns} ::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Space Policy Risk Calculator](assets/simulations/policy_calculator.png) ::: ::: {.column width="55%"} ### Space Policy Risk Calculator **What it is:** A structured way to think about regulatory + operational risk (debris, licensing, spectrum, safety). **Next step:** Try different mission profiles and see how risk categories shift. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Space_Policy_Calculator/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Space_Policy_Calculator/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_04_Human_Factors/Projects/Space_Policy_Calculator pip install -r requirements.txt python calculator.py ``` ::: ::: --- ## Module 5 — Astrophysics & Machine Learning {#module-5} :::: {.columns} :::: {.column width="45%"} ![Preview of the Telemetry Lab dashboard](assets/simulations/telemetry_lab.png) :::: :::: {.column width="55%"} ### Telemetry Lab (Dashboard) **What it is:** A hands-on dashboard for time series telemetry, missing data, anomaly detection, and forecasting baselines. **Next step:** Open the app and tune the detector settings until you understand the precision/recall tradeoff. - **Docs**: [README](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_05_Astrophysics_ML/Projects/Telemetry_Lab/README.md) · [Explanation](https://github.com/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/blob/main/src/Module_05_Astrophysics_ML/Projects/Telemetry_Lab/EXPLANATION.md) - **Run locally**: ```bash cd src/Module_05_Astrophysics_ML/Projects/Telemetry_Lab pip install -r requirements.txt streamlit run app.py ``` - **Run in browser (Binder, one‑click)**: [Launch Telemetry Lab](https://mybinder.org/v2/gh/svonstrauss/rocket-basics/HEAD?urlpath=proxy/8502/) :::: ::::