Interactive Simulations

Over twenty years ago, NASA Glenn Research Center developed this collection of interactive simulation exercises to accompany our Beginners Guide to Aeronautics educational content. Students and others in academia, industry, and those with an interest in aeronautics, visit these pages daily to learn and refresh their knowledge of these concepts. Thousands of educators use this content to support their lessons in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Simulations by Concept

Aerodynamics

Ideal Lift of Spinning Ball Interactive

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. All that is necessary ...

Student Airfoil Interactive

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. With this simulator you can ...

KiteModeler Interactive Simulator

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. With this software you can ...

Aerodynamic Forces of a Soccer Ball

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. Many students enjoy playing ...

Density Effects Interactive

Let’s investigate the dependence of lift on density using a Java simulator. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. ...

Flaps and Slats Interactive

Let’s investigate how the flaps and slats work by using a JavaScript simulator. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop ...

Objects with Lift Interactive

Lift is a force generated by turning a flow. Many different objects can generate a lift force and there many factors which influence the generation of ...

Aircraft Elevator Interactive

At the front of all of the Wright brothers’ aircraft one finds the elevators. The elevators are a pair of movable wings which are controlled by the ...

Lift of Rotating Cylinder Interactive

Let’s investigate the lift of a rotating cylinder by using a Java simulator. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. ...

Fluid Dynamics Interactive

As a wing moves through the air, the wing is inclined to the flight direction at some angle. The angle between the chord line and the flight direction is ...

Aircraft Force Interactive

This simulation calculates both the lift and drag of the Joukowsky family of airfoils, elliptical foils, flat surfaces, rotating cylinders and balls. These ...

Velocity Effects Interactive

Let’s investigate the dependence of lift on velocity using a Java simulator. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. ...

Equal Transit Theory Interactive

There are many theories of how lift is generated. Unfortunately, many of the theories found in encyclopedias, on web sites, and even in some textbooks ...

Effects of Shape on Lift Interactive

The amount of lift generated by an object depends on how much the flow is turned, which depends on the shape of the object. In general, the lift is a very ...

Baseball Motion Interactive Simulator

With this simulator you can investigate how a big league pitcher throws a curveball by changing the values of the factors that affect the aerodynamic ...

Curve Ball Pitch Interactive

With this simulation you can investigate how a big league pitcher throws a curveball by changing the values of the factors that affect the aerodynamic ...

Size Effects on Drag

Conformal mapping is a mathematical technique used to convert (or map) one mathematical problem and solution into another. It involves the study of complex ...

Elementary Airfoil Interactive

With this simulator you can investigate how an airplane wing produces lift and drag. You can change the values of different factors that determine lift and ...

Effect of Size on Lift

The amount of lift generated by an object depends on the size of the object. Lift is an aerodynamic force and therefore depends on the pressure ...

Effects of Velocity on Lift Interactive

Lift is created by deflecting a flow of air and drag is generated on a body in a wide variety of ways. From Newton’s second law of motion, ...

Skipping Stone Theory Interactive

There are many theories of how lift is generated. Unfortunately, many of the theories found in encyclopedias, on web sites, and even in some textbooks ...

Wing Geometry Definitions Interactive

Here is a Java program that you can use to study wing geometry. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few ...

Hit Kiosk Interactive Simulator

With this software you can investigate how a baseball flies through the air by changing the values of the factors that affect the aerodynamic forces on the ...

Hit Modeler Interactive Simulator

With this simulator you can investigate how a baseball flies through the air by changing the values of the factors that affect the aerodynamic forces on ...

Effects of Inclination on Lift Interactive

As an aircraft moves through the air, the wing is inclined to the flight direction at some angle. The angle between the chord line of the airfoil and the ...

Modern Lift Equation Interactive

The objective of this simulation is to find the flight conditions that produce an aircraft lift greater than the aircraft weight. You will be determining ...

Pitch Interactive

At the rear of the fuselage of most aircraft one finds a horizontal stabilizer and an elevator. The stabilizer is a fixed wing section whose job is to ...

Rudders Interactive – Biplane

At the rear of the 1903 Wright Flyer one finds a pair of rudders. The rudders are movable surfaces which are controlled by the pilot. This slide shows what ...

Effects of Shape on Lift Interactive

The amount of lift generated by a wing depends on how much the flow is turned, which depends on the shape of the object. The lift is, in general, a very ...

Spoilers Interactive

Spoilers are small, hinged plates on the top portion of wings. Spoilers can be used to slow an aircraft, or to make an aircraft descend, if they are ...

Stabilator Interactive Simulator

At the rear of the fuselage of most aircraft one finds a horizontal stabilizer and an elevator to provide stability and control of the up-and-down, ...

Hit Modeler Weather Interactive Simulator

With this simulator you can investigate how a baseball flies through the air by changing the values of the factors that affect the aerodynamic forces on ...

Rudder Interactive

At the rear of the fuselage of most aircraft one finds a vertical stabilizer and a rudder. The stabilizer is a fixed wing section whose job is to provide ...

Airflow

Aircraft Nozzle Interactive

With this simulation you can investigate how an aircraft nozzle produces thrust by changing the values of different factors that affect thrust. This ...

Interactive Nozzle

With this simulation you can investigate how a turbojet or rocket nozzle produces thrust by changing the values of different factors that affect thrust. By ...

Normal Shocks Interactive

As an object moves through a gas, the gas molecules are deflected around the object. If the speed of the object is much less than the speed of sound of the ...

Rocket Nozzle Interactive Simulator

With this simulator you can investigate how a rocket nozzle produces thrust by changing the values of different factors that affect thrust. By changing the ...

Oblique Shocks Interactive Simulator

Here’s a Java program based on the oblique shock equations. You can use this simulator to study the flow past a wedge. Please note: the simulation ...

Supersonic Cone Flow Interactive

As an object moves through a gas, the gas molecules are deflected around the object. If the speed of the object is much less than the speed of sound of the ...

Speed of Sound Interactive

Air is a gas and an important property of any gas is the speed of sound through the gas. Why are we interested in the speed of sound? The speed of ...

Reflected Shock Interactive

When an object moves faster than the speed of sound, and there is an abrupt decrease in the flow area, shock waves are generated. Shock waves are very thin ...

Sound Waves Interactive

With this simulator you can investigate how sound waves travel through the air. When you become experienced with this simulator and the physical principles ...

Atmosphere

Interactive Isentropic Flow

Here is a JavaScript program that solves the equations given on this page. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may ...

Atmospheric Interactive Simulator

This is an interactive program in which you can investigate changes in the atmosphere and their effects on aerodynamic variables. It uses mathematical ...

Gas Lab Interactive

The Animated Gas Lab is a series of computer animations that demonstrate all the possible combinations of the ideal gas law or equation of state. Gases ...

Calculators

Ideal Lift of Spinning Ball Interactive

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. All that is necessary ...

Compressible Mass Flow Rate Interactive

The conservation of mass is a fundamental concept of physics. Within some problem domains, the amount of mass remains constant; mass is neither created nor ...

Drop Interactive Simulator

With this simulator you can investigate how an object falls through the air by changing the values of different design variables. Please note: the ...

Lift of Rotating Cylinder Interactive

Let’s investigate the lift of a rotating cylinder by using a Java simulator. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. ...

Determine Maximum Altitude Interactive

Flying model rockets is a relatively safe and inexpensive way for students to learn the basics of forces and the response of vehicles to ...

Ballistic Flight Calculator

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. The study of model rockets, ...

Wing Geometry Definitions Interactive

Here is a Java program that you can use to study wing geometry. Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few ...

Reynolds Number Interactive Simulator

Here’s a Java program to calculate the coefficient of viscosity and the Reynolds number for different altitudes, lengths, and speeds. To change input ...

Terminal Velocity Interactive

Here’s a JavaScript calculator which will solve the equations presented on this page: Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop ...

Engines

Jet Engine Interactive Simulator

With this simulation you can investigate how a jet (or turbine) engine produces thrust by interactively changing the values of different engine parameters. ...

Engine Parameter Interactive

With this simulator, you can investigate how a turbine (or jet) engine produces thrust by changing the values of different engine parameters. Please note: ...

Engine Interactive

This is an animated computer drawing of the Wright brothers’ 1903 aircraft engine. This machine powered the first, heavier than air, self-propelled, ...

Range Games Interactive Simulator

With this simulation you must solve problems involved with determining an aircraft’s motion and performance. Please note: the simulation below is ...

Rockets

Rocket Nozzle Interactive Simulator

With this simulator you can investigate how a rocket nozzle produces thrust by changing the values of different factors that affect thrust. By changing the ...

Air Rocket Launch Interactive

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. And here is an interactive, ...

Determine Maximum Altitude Interactive

Flying model rockets is a relatively safe and inexpensive way for students to learn the basics of forces and the response of vehicles to ...

Rocket Modeler Interactive Simulator

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. This simulation was developed ...

Gimbaled Thrust Animated Interactive

An important aspect of rocket flight is stability and control of the rocket. Model rockets, stomp rockets, and bottle rockets all use aerodynamic forces ...

Booster Staging Interactive

The study of rockets is an excellent way for students to learn the basics of forces and the response of an object to external forces. All rockets use ...

Wind Tunnels

Interactive Wind Tunnel Test Program

With this simulation you can investigate the process of wind tunnel testing by changing the conditions of a test of a representative wing model. You can ...

Open Return Wind Tunnel Interactive

With this simulator you can investigate the design and operation of an open return wind tunnel by changing the geometry and flow conditions in the tunnel. ...

Wind Tunnel Wing Test Interactive

With this simulation you can investigate the design of a wind tunnel model by changing the geometry of a representative wing model. This program is ...

Wind Tunnel Testing Interactive

Please note: the simulation below is best viewed on a desktop computer. It may take a few minutes for the simulation to load. With this simulator you can ...

1901 Wind Tunnel Interactive

This simulation works exactly the same way that the Wright Brother’s 1901 wind tunnel worked. The layout of the simulator shows an overhead view into ...

Wright Brothers Aircraft

1900 Aircraft Interactive

You can study the design of the 1900 aircraft by changing the view using the buttons at the bottom of this JavaScript program. This simulation shows a ...

1901 Aircraft Interactive

The simulation below is a computer drawing of the Wright brothers’ 1901 aircraft. This was the second unpowered aircraft built by the brothers. The ...

1902 Aircraft Interactive

The simulation below shows a computer drawing of the Wright brothers’ 1902 aircraft. This was the third unpowered aircraft built by the brothers. The ...

1903 Aircraft Interactive

This page shows a computer drawing of the Wright brothers’ 1903 aircraft. This machine was the first piloted aircraft that was heavier than air, ...

1904 Aircraft Interactive

This page shows a computer drawing of the Wright brothers’ 1904 aircraft. This machine was the second powered aircraft built by the brothers. ...

1905 Aircraft Interactive

This page shows a computer drawing of the Wright brothers’ 1905 aircraft. This machine was the third powered aircraft built by the brothers. In a ...

Rudders Interactive – Biplane

At the rear of the 1903 Wright Flyer one finds a pair of rudders. The rudders are movable surfaces which are controlled by the pilot. This slide shows what ...

1901 Wind Tunnel Interactive

This simulation works exactly the same way that the Wright Brother’s 1901 wind tunnel worked. The layout of the simulator shows an overhead view into ...

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