Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLEY at the link
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When spacecraft are moving around close to each other it's called 'Proximity Operations', the same laws of physics apply, but we move the reference frame to the target spacecraft which means we see what looks like unexpected motion with spacecraft following ellipses and other paths not seen on earth. But these simple motions can be modelled by equations and easily broken down into simple harmonic motion.
If you want to play around with my little simulator it's here:
illectro.github.io/prox_ops.html
It implements the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations for circular orbits: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clohessy%E2%80%93Wiltshire_equations
Some of these visualizations were made using Universe Sandbox:
store.steampowered.com/app/230290/Universe_Sandbox
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:54 US-China Adversarial Satellite Maneuvers
3:04 ISS Proximity
4:05 Sponsored Spot
6:23 Back In Orbit
8:44 Eccentric Orbits
11:21 My Little Game
15:41 The 3rd Dimension
17:11 Fixed Geometry Constellations
Follow me on Twitter for more updates:
twitter.com/DJSnM
I have a discord server where I regularly turn up:
discord.gg/zStmKbM
If you really like what I do you can support me directly through Patreon
patreon.com/scottmanley
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MANLEY at the link
below and get 60% off an annual plan: incogni.com/manley
When spacecraft are moving around close to each other it's called 'Proximity Operations', the same laws of physics apply, but we move the reference frame to the target spacecraft which means we see what looks like unexpected motion with spacecraft following ellipses and other paths not seen on earth. But these simple motions can be modelled by equations and easily broken down into simple harmonic motion.
If you want to play around with my little simulator it's here:
illectro.github.io/prox_ops.html
It implements the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations for circular orbits: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clohessy%E2%80%93Wiltshire_equations
Some of these visualizations were made using Universe Sandbox:
store.steampowered.com/app/230290/Universe_Sandbox
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:54 US-China Adversarial Satellite Maneuvers
3:04 ISS Proximity
4:05 Sponsored Spot
6:23 Back In Orbit
8:44 Eccentric Orbits
11:21 My Little Game
15:41 The 3rd Dimension
17:11 Fixed Geometry Constellations
Follow me on Twitter for more updates:
twitter.com/DJSnM
I have a discord server where I regularly turn up:
discord.gg/zStmKbM
If you really like what I do you can support me directly through Patreon
patreon.com/scottmanley
