6DoF Spacecraft Dynamics Simulator

Dynamics • Motion Control • 6DoF Analysis

v1.0.0 MIT License Updated: 2025-08-30

Visualize 6-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) spacecraft motion: 3 translational and 3 rotational axes. Simulates Newton's laws (F=ma) for translation and Euler's equations (τ=Iω̇) for rotation. Perfect for understanding orbital maneuvers, attitude control, and spacecraft dynamics.

References

Curtis, H. D. (2020). Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students (4th ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.

Spacecraft

Initial State

Maneuver

Analysis

Mass (kg)

Ixx (kg·m²)

Iyy (kg·m²)

Izz (kg·m²)

Position

Position X (m)

Position Y (m)

Position Z (m)

Velocity

Velocity X (m/s)

Velocity Y (m/s)

Velocity Z (m/s)

Attitude

Roll (deg)

Pitch (deg)

Yaw (deg)

Angular Rates

Roll Rate (deg/s)

Pitch Rate (deg/s)

Yaw Rate (deg/s)

Forces

Force X [Body] (N)

Force Y [Body] (N)

Force Z [Body] (N)

Torques

Torque X [Body] (N·m)

Torque Y [Body] (N·m)

Torque Z [Body] (N·m)

Timing

Start Time (s)

Duration (s)

Simulation Time (s)

Time Step (s)

Translation

Rotation

Position (m)

Velocity (m/s)

Acceleration (m/s²)

Attitude (deg)

Attitude Rate (deg/s)

Angular Acceleration (deg/s²)

Position (m)

Initial: -

Maneuver End: -

Final: -

Velocity (m/s)

Initial: -

Maneuver End: -

Final: -

Total ΔV: -

Attitude (deg)

Initial: -

Maneuver End: -

Final: -

Angular Rates (deg/s)

Initial: -

Maneuver End: -

Final: -

Performance Metrics

Max Acceleration: -

Max Angular Acc: -

Total Distance: -

Time: 0.0 s

Speed: 30.0x

How to use

Set spacecraft mass and moment of inertia (MoI) in the Spacecraft tab
Define initial position, velocity, and attitude in the Initial State tab
Specify forces, torques, and timing in the Maneuver tab
Adjust simulation time and time step in the Analysis tab
Parameters automatically update the simulation in real-time
Use animation controls to replay the 3D motion
Click section headers to collapse/expand them