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How to Explore Apollo Free-Return Trajectory 3D Explorer
Open the Apollo Free-Return Trajectory 3D Explorer, toggle free-return vs hybrid, then scrub phase through the lunar flyby to see whether the craft aims at Earth or misses with a high perigee.
- Open https://freetoolonline.com/space-3d/apollo-free-return-trajectory.html and wait for Earth, Moon, and the yellow craft marker to paint.
- Leave Free-return selected and press Play, or drag Phase from about 10% outbound toward 50% at the Moon.
- Watch the green path swing behind the Moon and return near Earth's wireframe atmosphere shell.
- Click Hybrid (Apollo 13 MCC-2 style) and scrub past 60% - the orange path misses Earth with a high-perigee miss.
- Read the facts panel for ~110 km early free-return PC, ~250 km Apollo 13 restored PC, 400,171 km furthest Earth distance, ~2,500 nmi hybrid perigee, and the 34.23 s DPS-1 burn.
Key published figures
| Figure | Value |
|---|---|
| Early Apollo free-return PC | ~110 km (~60 nmi) |
| Apollo 13 restored free-return PC | ~250 km (~135 nmi) |
| Furthest from Earth (Apollo 13 PC) | 400,171 km |
| Pre-restore hybrid Earth perigee | ~2,500 nmi |
| DPS-1 restore burn | 34.23 s at GET 61:29:43 |
Next: the when guide or vs alternatives. Open the Apollo Free-Return Trajectory 3D Explorer.
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