This simulation shows what happens when a projectile is launched from above the surface of the Earth at various velocities. The projectile is launched from a height of 1000 km, so the location shown is actually to scale. Select the velocity you would like to use by using the left (slower) or right (faster) arrow keys on your keyboard. It starts off with a velocity of only 4.0 km/s, which basically just has it go into the Earth - which isn't realistic, but you can still view the orbit through the Earth.

Use the following keys to control the simulation,

• S - to start and restart the simulation - Press this first!
• X - to stop the motion
• O - that's the letter "oh" - this draws the orbital path through the Earth