Impact Effects Simulator

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Impact Effects Simulator

Created for the 2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge

Interactive Impact Effects Simulator — explore an accurate, scaled 3D visualization of the inner Solar System and near-Earth objects (NEOs). Use the "Approaches" list to inspect upcoming close approaches, the Filters panel to narrow results by date, size or miss distance, and click any asteroid to open detailed orbital and impact information. NEO data is loaded from the local dataset (assets/neos.json) for demonstration — this visualization is for exploration and education, not real-time hazard alerts.

Our Mission

Meteor Madness is an interactive web-based platform designed to help users understand and prepare for potential asteroid threats. By combining NASA and USGS data with engaging visualizations and physics-based simulations, we make complex astronomical concepts accessible to everyone — scientists, policymakers, educators, and the public.

How this can help humanity

This platform can be used not only for education but also for practical preparedness and emergency planning. With geospatial tools and navigation data we can create shelter maps and safe zones, run impact simulations for specific regions (infrastructure damage, flood-prone areas, debris reach), and prioritize evacuations and emergency resources. In the future the system can be integrated with external sources and platforms (early warning systems, critical infrastructure databases, road networks), enabling faster, coordinated responses during real emergency situations.

Key Features

Real-Time Data
Integration with NASA's NEO API for asteroid tracking and orbital data.
3D Visualization
Interactive 3D orbital paths and impact scenarios using Three.js.
Physics Simulation
Accurate impact calculations including crater size, seismic effects, and energy release.
Decision Support & Real-World Applications
Scenario testing and decision‑support tools to evaluate mitigation and plan emergency response.

Technologies Used

Three.js Node.js Python NASA JLP SBDB API NASA NEO API

Data Sources

JPL Small-Body Database (SBDB)
High-precision orbital elements, ephemerides, and physical parameters from NASA JPL for asteroids and comets.
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html
NASA Near-Earth Object (NEO) API
Provides orbital parameters, size estimates, and close-approach data for asteroids and comets.
https://api.nasa.gov/
USGS Earthquake Catalog
Global earthquake data used to model seismic effects of asteroid impacts.
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/
USGS National Map
High-resolution elevation data for tsunami and crater formation modeling.
https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program

NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025

This project was created as part of the international NASA Space Apps Challenge, bringing together innovators worldwide to address real-world challenges using NASA data.

NASA Space Apps Project Submission Page