Orbital Mechanics & Early Warning Defense

Ballistic Trajectory & Radar Horizon Lab

Simulate projectile launches, compare lofted tests with Minimum-Energy Trajectories (MET), evaluate radar line-of-sight over Earth's curvature, and export full flight telemetry.

Class / Profile SRBM Short-Range (<1000km)
Apogee (Max Alt) 61.4 km Mesosphere altitude
Ground Range 442 km Sea splashdown
Flight Duration 5m 48s Burnout: T+40s
Equiv. MET Range 451 km +2.0% energy opt.
Radar Acquisition T+46s Window: 4m 52s
PHASE: MIDCOURSE FREE FLIGHT
SIM TIME: T+ 01:24 | ALT: 52.1 km | VEL: 1.42 km/s
01:27 / 05:48

Flight Profile Diagnosis

The trajectory exhibits standard SRBM characteristics consistent with theater tactical systems tested into adjacent maritime EEZ coordinates.

Trajectory Type Standard Ballistic
Energy Efficiency 98.1% of Optimum
Terminal Re-entry Speed Mach 4.9 (1.68 km/s)
Apogee to Range Ratio 0.14 (Typical 0.20-0.25)

Early Warning Radar Coverage

Earth curvature shields the initial boost phase. Acquisition occurs as the warhead penetrates the radar horizon envelope.

Radar Station Model EL/M-2080 / AN-TPY-2
First Radar Contact T+46s (Alt: 28 km)
LOS Horizon Cutoff T+338s (Alt: 16 km)
Tracking Duration 292 seconds

Methodology: Keplerian Ballistic Mechanics & Lofted Tests

Why Countries Conduct Lofted Launches

When testing intercontinental or intermediate-range ballistic missiles without sovereign airspace clearance or ocean impact corridors, militaries launch at extreme angles (>75°). This sends the projectile thousands of kilometers into space while splashing down only a few hundred kilometers away into domestic maritime areas.

Minimum-Energy Trajectory (MET) Equivalence

By measuring burnout velocity and apogee from a lofted launch, defense analysts apply Keplerian orbital mechanics to derive the theoretical maximum range on a standard 35°–45° trajectory ($S_{max} \approx 4 R_E \arcsin\frac{v_{bo}}{\sqrt{2\mu/R_E}}$). This reveals true strike capability.

Radar Horizon & Earth Curvature

Microwave early warning radar operates via line-of-sight. The geometric horizon ($d \approx \sqrt{2 R_E h_r} + \sqrt{2 R_E h_t}$) conceals low-altitude flight. Depressed trajectories exploit this blind zone, while lofted missiles illuminate radar stations within seconds of stage separation.

Enjoy this tool? Build your own with Super