VIEW MODE // MISSION BRIEFING ACTIVE
SIM SPEED //
// ACTIVE MISSION — DRAGON CRS-31 RETURN
Flight Director Mode. Dragon capsule is de-orbiting from ISS at 7.8 km/s. Re-entry interface in T-12 minutes. Deploy parachutes at the right moment to ensure crew survival. Adjust parameters using the sliders — watch the physics respond in real time.
CAM_01 // RE-ENTRY SEQUENCE
NOMINAL
MISSION FAILED
Impact velocity too high.
Parachute deployed too late.
Technical Debrief:
Terminal velocity exceeded 15 m/s at surface contact.
Fnet = Fg − Fd remained positive through descent.
Required: Total Area ≥ 95 m² for safe splashdown.

Aerodynamic Drag

Fd = ½ ρv²CdA  |  Re-entry Dynamics

RE-ENTRY
DROGUE
MAIN CHUTES
SPLASHDOWN
What's happening? As the capsule falls, air pushes back against it — that's drag. The bigger the parachute, the more air it catches, and the more it slows down. Your goal: keep the landing speed under 10 m/s (about the speed of a fast run).
VELOCITY
m/s
ACCELERATION
m/s²
DRAG FORCE
kN
ALTITUDE
m
ATMOSPHERE:
Gravity Force (Fg) m × g
Drag Force (Fd) ½ρv²CdA
Net Force Fg − Fd
Acceleration Fnet / m
Parachute Deployment Area 0.0 m²
ℹ️ Move the slider to deploy the parachute and see how drag slows the capsule.
ASTRONAUT G-LOAD 1.0 G
VELOCITY (m/s) vs TIME
CAM_02 // F1 CRASH SIMULATION
STANDBY
DRIVER CRITICAL
Impact forces exceeded FIA survival cell limits.
Red flag — circuit medical car deployed.
Technical Debrief:
Peak deceleration exceeded 40G — above FIA survival threshold.
Nose cone + survival cell energy absorption insufficient.
Crumple zone length too short for approach velocity.

F1 Impact Dynamics

F = k·x (elastic→plastic)  |  RK4 Crumple Zone Physics

What's happening? The F1 car strikes a tyre wall. The nose cone absorbs the initial energy — a soft crumple zone means a longer stop time, lower G-forces on the driver. A rigid structure causes an instant stop: potentially fatal. Keep peak G below 40G — the driver survival threshold.
PEAK FORCE
kN
PEAK G-FORCE
G
ENERGY ABS.
kJ
STOP DIST.
cm
Kinetic Energy ½mv²
Work Done F × d
Peak Force k × d_crush
Impulse F × Δt
Approach Velocity 15.0 m/s
Nose Cone Stiffness Soft
🏎️ F1 nose cones absorb up to 400kJ in the first 900mm of deformation — engineered to break away cleanly and protect the survival cell.
FORCE (kN) vs CRUSH DISTANCE (cm)