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For K-12 Students · Rocket Equation

Rocket Equation for an ion thruster

Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate an ion thruster live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Rocket Equation (Tsiolkovsky)Live

Δv = g·Isp·ln(m₀/m_f)

Delta-v budget

5524 m/s

LEO (Earth orbit)

59%

Moon transfer

44%

Mars transfer

42%

Escape Earth

49%

Controls

The equation that rules spaceflight. Your Δv budget depends only on exhaust velocity and the ratio of full-to-empty mass — and it's brutally logarithmic.

Presets

Wet mass m₀ (t)

Dry mass m_f (t)

Specific impulse Isp (s)

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Data Inspector

Δv5524 m/s

Mass ratio5.00

Propellant400 t

Exhaust vel.3432 m/s

Governing equation

Δ v = v_{e} ln \frac{m _{0}}{m _{f}} = 3432 ln \frac{500}{100} = 5524 m/s

Reading this result: At 5524 m/s this stage cannot reach orbit; since Δv grows only with the log of mass ratio, big gains need a much emptier tank or higher Isp.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for k-12 students?: Yes — this version of "Rocket Equation for an ion thruster" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.