---
title: "Orbit Simulator"
type: "article"
slug: "orbit-simulator-3"
url: "http://localhost/article/orbit-simulator-3/"
markdown_url: "http://localhost/article/orbit-simulator-3.md"
published_at: "2026-03-15T00:18:32+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T00:18:32+00:00"
featured_image:
  url: "http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20230809-041332.jpg"
excerpt: "A QL SuperBASIC program simulating orbital mechanics around a central planetary body. The orbiter starts above the planet and can be given directional thrust using the joystick, allowing demonstration of circular and elliptical orbits. Converted from a C-128 version written by Doug Fries. Author notes the QL runs the program faster than the C-128."
category:
  - name: "Timelinez"
    slug: "timelinez"
    taxonomy: "category"
    url: "http://localhost/category/periodicals/timelinez/"
post_tag:
  - name: "BASIC (programming language)"
    slug: "basic-programming-language"
    taxonomy: "post_tag"
    url: "http://localhost/tag/basic-programming-language/"
  - name: "QL"
    slug: "ql"
    taxonomy: "post_tag"
    url: "http://localhost/tag/ql/"
  - name: "Type-in program"
    slug: "type-in-program"
    taxonomy: "post_tag"
    url: "http://localhost/tag/type-in-program/"
model:
  - name: "Sinclair QL"
    slug: "sinclair-ql"
    taxonomy: "model"
    url: "http://localhost/model/sinclair-ql/"
indiv:
  - name: "Tim Swenson"
    slug: "tim-swenson"
    taxonomy: "indiv"
    url: "http://localhost/indiv/tim-swenson/"
publication_r:
  id: 21571
  title: "Timelinez"
  type: "periodical"
  url: "http://localhost/periodical/timelinez/"
authors_r:
  - name: "Tim Swenson"
    slug: "tim-swenson"
    taxonomy: "indiv"
    url: "http://localhost/indiv/tim-swenson/"
volume: "5"
issue: "5"
issues_articles:
  - id: 38853
    title: "Timelinez v5 n5"
    type: "issue"
    url: "http://localhost/issue/timelinez-v5-n5/"
pages: "8"
pubdate: "May 1987"
archive_link: false
---

# Orbit Simulator

A QL SuperBASIC program simulating orbital mechanics around a central planetary body. The orbiter starts above the planet and can be given directional thrust using the joystick, allowing demonstration of circular and elliptical orbits. Converted from a C-128 version written by Doug Fries. Author notes the QL runs the program faster than the C-128.