How do I simulate a trebuchet launch?

Open this page and use the live Kepler Orbits 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 trebuchet launch from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Kepler Orbits

Kepler Orbits for a trebuchet launch

Simulate a trebuchet launch live in your browser. This runs the real Kepler Orbits 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

Kepler Orbit StudioLive

two-body gravity · conic-section orbits

Controls

Speed1×

Set the eccentricity to trace Kepler's orbits — a circle, ellipse, or (past e=1) an escape hyperbola. The star sits at the focus. Drag the planet on the canvas to reposition its starting point and reshape the orbit.

Presets

Eccentricity e

Semi-major axis

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Eccentricity0.60

Orbitelliptical

LawKepler / 1-r²

Governing equation

r = \frac{a ( 1 - e ^{2} )}{1 + e cos θ} = \frac{140 ( 1 - 0.6 0 ^{2} )}{1 + 0.60 cos θ}

Reading this result: At e=0.60 the orbit is an ellipse with the star at one focus. The planet sweeps equal areas in equal times, so it runs fastest at perihelion and slowest at aphelion. A higher e means a more elongated ellipse. The period grows as a^(3/2) (Kepler's third law), so a=140 sets the year length.

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 Kepler Orbits tool models a trebuchet launch 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 Kepler Orbits

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Other ways to simulate a trebuchet launch

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

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a trebuchet launch?: Open this page and use the live Kepler Orbits 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 trebuchet launch from your own measurements.