How to land with gravity and acceleration
- Choose Moon or Mars, adjust the starting conditions, and predict the fall.
- Press Play. Use the thruster button or hold Space to apply upward acceleration.
- Watch the signed velocity and the sum of accelerations. Brake before reaching the platform.
- Pause or step forward to inspect the motion. Reset and try to save more fuel.
Acceleration changes velocity, not position instantly
With upward positive, a = a_thrust − g. Upward acceleration slows a descending module. Equal thrust and gravity preserve its current velocity; they do not automatically stop it.
A focused learning model
One-dimensional motion, constant module mass, constant local gravity, and no atmospheric drag. Fuel is a burn-time allowance, not kilograms. The eco score rewards simulated fuel conservation.
Gravity references: NASA · Moon · NASA JPL · Mars