Solar System Simulator Controls

Reset allows you to set the solar system to the same initial conditions.
Launch allows you to send out a satellite from earth at the angle and speed (both relative to earth's current orbital velocity).
A left mouse click allow you to zoom in by a factor of two.
A right mouse click allow you to zoom out by a factor of two.

Assignment - answer questions beneath applet window below:

After playing with the simulation a bit, answer the following questions:
  1. Determine from the simulation the orbital period of the four planets; do they correspond with our solar system?
  2. Try to launch a satellite that has a nearly circular orbit; how difficult is this and what is its period?
  3. Try to launch a satellite with a very high eccentricity orbit; how difficult is this and what is its period?
  4. Try to launch a satellite that demonstrates the slingshot effect around Venus or Mars; how difficult is this? Does this increase or decrease the satellite speed and why?