How do I simulate a ballistic capsule?

Open this page and use the live Glide Performance 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 ballistic capsule from your own measurements.

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Glide Performance for a ballistic capsule

Simulate a ballistic capsule live in your browser. This runs the real Glide Performance 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

Glide PerformanceLive

how far from how high

Controls

Presets

Glide ratio (L/D)

Altitude (m)

Airspeed (m/s)

An unpowered aircraft trades height for distance. Its glide ratio, L/D, is exactly how many meters forward it travels per meter of descent — a modern glider does 50:1. The shallow glide angle is set only by L/D, not weight, while the sink rate and time aloft depend on speed. Vital knowledge after an engine failure.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Glide range15.0 km

Glide angle3.8°

Sink rate2.0 m/s

Time aloft8.3 min

Governing equation

γ = arctan \frac{1}{L / D} = arctan \frac{1}{15} = 3. 8^{\circ}, v_{s} = \frac{V}{L / D} = 2.0 m/s

Reading this result: Glide angle depends only on L/D, so the range scales straight with altitude; speed changes how fast you sink and how long you stay up, but not how far you reach.

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 Glide Performance tool models a ballistic capsule 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 Glide Performance

Glide Performance for a passenger jet wing Glide Performance for a rocket ascent Glide Performance for a drone quadcopter Glide Performance for a glider Glide Performance for a paper airplane Glide Performance for a Mars lander Glide Performance for a satellite reentry Glide Performance for a model rocket

Other ways to simulate a ballistic capsule

Rocket Equation for a ballistic capsule Orbital Transfer for a ballistic capsule Airfoil Lift & Drag for a ballistic capsule Rocket Staging for a ballistic capsule Atmospheric Reentry for a ballistic capsule Standard Atmosphere for a ballistic capsule

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a ballistic capsule?: Open this page and use the live Glide Performance 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 ballistic capsule from your own measurements.