Explore the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game
Fire the engine and tilt the lander to touch down softly on the pad, on the Moon, Mars or Earth. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game?
Fire the engine and tilt the lander to touch down softly on the pad, on the Moon, Mars or Earth. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
SpaceX booster landings, the Apollo Moon landings and Mars rovers all needed exactly this control of thrust, tilt and fuel.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Gravity pulls the lander down at a steady rate, so its downward speed keeps growing.
Engine thrust gives an upward acceleration that can slow the fall.
Tilting the lander sends some of the thrust sideways.
Land on the Moon with under 30 percent fuel used.
Try Mars, then Earth, and raise the engine power to compensate.
Land on the pad with less than 1 m/s falling speed.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Try Mars, then Earth, and raise the engine power to compensate. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
How do rockets land softly?
They fire the engine to slow the fall so the speed is small at touchdown, while keeping the rocket upright.
Why is it harder on Earth?
Gravity is six times stronger than on the Moon, so more thrust and fuel are needed to cancel it.
Is the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game free to use?
Yes. The Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 3 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game?
1. In the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game, use the controls to change World, Engine power (× gravity), Touch controls (hold). The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game, pick an option such as Moon (1.6), Mars (3.7), Earth (9.8) to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game, press "◀ Tilt", "▲ Engine", "Tilt ▶", "New landing" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Land on the Moon with under 30 percent fuel used. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Gravity pulls the lander down at a steady rate, so its downward speed keeps growing.
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Try the Lunar Lander: Land Softly Physics Game now
Fire the engine and tilt the lander to touch down softly on the pad, on the Moon, Mars or. Free to use.
Try it free