Is this good for educators?

Yes — this version of "Rocket Equation for a supersonic jet" is framed for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs.

Do I need to install anything?

No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.

For Educators · Rocket Equation

Rocket Equation for a supersonic jet

Built for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs. Simulate a supersonic jet live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Rocket Equation (Tsiolkovsky)Live

the tyranny of the rocket equation

Controls

Presets

Specific impulse Isp (s)

Mass ratio m₀/mf per stage

Number of stages

Δv = Isp·g·ln(m₀/mf). Because Δv grows only with the log of the mass ratio, reaching orbit (~9.4 km/s) demands enormous propellant fractions — which is exactly why rockets stage.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Exhaust velocity2.94 km/s

Δv per stage4.74 km/s

Total Δv4.74 km/s

Reaches LEO?no

Governing equation

Δ v = v_{e} ln \frac{m _{0}}{m _{f}} = I_{s p} g_{0} ln \frac{m _{0}}{m _{f}} = 300 \cdot 9.81 \cdot ln 5 = 4.74 km/s

Reading this result: Short of orbit by 4.7 km/s. Because Δv scales only with ln(mass ratio), raise Isp, lift the mass ratio, or add a stage rather than just adding propellant.

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

or unlock everything with Pro →

Also for:Students Researchers Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders General version →

More with Rocket Equation

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

Frequently asked questions

Is this good for educators?: Yes — this version of "Rocket Equation for a supersonic jet" is framed for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.