How do I simulate a satellite orbit?

Open this page and use the live Buoyancy tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a satellite orbit from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Buoyancy

Buoyancy for a satellite orbit

Simulate a satellite orbit live in your browser. This runs the real Buoyancy solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Buoyancy & ArchimedesLive

floating equilibrium by density

Controls

An object floats with exactly the fraction ρ_object/ρ_fluid submerged. Denser than the fluid? It sinks. This is Archimedes' principle, live.

Presets

Object density (kg/m³)

Fluid density (kg/m³)

Object size

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Fraction submerged60%

Statefloats

ρ ratio0.60

Governing equation

\frac{V _{s u b}}{V} = \frac{ρ _{o bj}}{ρ _{f l u i d}} = \frac{600}{1000} = 0.60 F_{b} = ρ_{f l u i d} g V

Reading this result: Lighter than the fluid (ρ ratio 0.60), so it floats with exactly 60% submerged — the submerged fraction equals the density ratio, and object size never changes it.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Buoyancy tool models a satellite orbit with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Buoyancy

Buoyancy for a projectile from a cannon Buoyancy for a bouncing ball Buoyancy for a pendulum clock Buoyancy for a car braking Buoyancy for a roller-coaster loop Buoyancy for a mass on a spring Buoyancy for a skydiver's free fall Buoyancy for a two-cart collision

Other ways to simulate a satellite orbit

Particle / N-Body for a satellite orbit Heat & Wave Fields for a satellite orbit GPU Compute (WebGPU) for a satellite orbit WebGPU Fluid for a satellite orbit GPU N-Body for a satellite orbit GPU PDE Solver for a satellite orbit

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a satellite orbit?: Open this page and use the live Buoyancy tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a satellite orbit from your own measurements.