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Kinetic Impactor Deflection: Δv & Miss-Distance Lab (2D)

2D kinetic-impactor lab modeled on NASA's DART mission: the real momentum-transfer formula Δv = β·m·v/M applied at an adjustable lead time before predicted Earth impact, showing how a tiny velocity nudge compounds into a real miss distance.

Space & Astronomy2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

This 2D companion isolates the actual momentum-transfer physics behind NASA's DART mission from the 3D version's exploratory orbit view: real sliders for impactor mass, closing speed, the momentum-enhancement factor β, and — critically — the lead time before predicted Earth impact drive the textbook planetary-defense formulas Δv = β·m·v/M and miss distance ≈ Δv × lead_time, with a live orbit-path comparison and a miss-distance-vs-lead-time curve that makes visible why early detection, not a bigger impactor, is what actually saves the day.

⚙ Under the hood

2D kinetic-impactor lab with the real DART-style momentum-transfer formula Δv = β·m·v/M and the linearized miss distance ≈ Δv × lead_time, plus a log-log miss-distance-vs-lead-time curve and a DART mission preset.

kinetic impactorDART missionmomentum transferplanetary defensemiss distanceorbital mechanics

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install