# DR.Orbit

> Simulate orbital mechanics and gravitational interactions with a touch-based physics demonstration. (iPhone/iPad app by Daniel Roth.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drorbit/id697764304 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Daniel Roth](https://appshunter.io/developer/356650850)
- Category: Education, Games, Simulation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.1 · 10 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, European Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish
- Released: 2013-09-12
- Data updated: 2026-06-07
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drorbit/id697764304/reviews.md

## What is DR.Orbit?

Demonstration of how a mass (e.g. earth) can orbit around a gravitational well (e.g. sun). Use your finger to push the mass onto a trajectory that results in a stable orbit around the well. Use the options menu to introduce some drag (good to get rid of the mass), to bring up some eye candy or to influence the movement of the mass by tilting your iPad.

Physics background:

Gravitational forces act between masses. In this demonstration a big stationary mass is situated in the center of the screen. Its location is fixed and it is hidden behind a cap. If you put a small mass onto the screen, it begins accelerating towards the big mass until it disappears under the cap "into the drain". You can prevent your mass from going down the drain by giving it an initial push. Try experimenting with the directions of your pushes. If it is done right, the small mass will be falling around the big mass without - in theory - ever disappearing into the drain. But due to the not very accurate numerical methods used for the calculation of the trajectory of the mass, the reality in this demonstration might be different. This also applies to the background grid on the screen: It does not show the correct wraping of space caused by the big mass in the middle of the screen. Its shape is a compromise between aesthetics and numerics. 

Link to demonstration video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwXI-EiZE4o

## Key features

- Simulate orbital mechanics
- Guide masses into stable orbits
- Adjust trajectory with finger input
- Introduce simulated drag
- Enable visual enhancements
- Control movement via device tilt

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drorbit/id697764304/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Good physics, not much fun

*2015-02-08*

Sure, the gravity well is pretty realistic. The app description doesn't tell you that the ball will bounce off the walls. The Accelerometer mode is pretty useless; the ball starts bouncing off the walls very quickly and gets sucked down the hole.

There is no way to stop the ball once it is started in a stable orbit; you have to turn on friction or the accelerometer.

It would be nice to be able to zoom, to adjust the masses or other parameters, or to insert multiple planets.

## Frequently asked questions about DR.Orbit

### What is DR.Orbit?

DR.Orbit is a demonstration app that simulates how a mass orbits a gravitational well, like the Earth around the Sun. Users can interact with the simulation to achieve stable orbits.

### How does DR.Orbit teach physics?

It allows users to experiment with gravitational forces and trajectories by using their finger to push a mass. This hands-on approach helps visualize concepts like orbital mechanics and the effects of gravity.

### Can I play DR.Orbit offline?

The description does not specify offline capabilities, but as a physics simulation, it is likely designed to function without an internet connection.

### What devices support DR.Orbit?

DR.Orbit is currently supported on iPads, as indicated by the 'supportedDevices' field.

### Is DR.Orbit suitable for young children?

DR.Orbit has an age rating of 4+, suggesting it is appropriate for young children to explore basic physics concepts.

### How often is DR.Orbit updated?

The app was last updated on June 10, 2017, with version 1.06. This indicates infrequent updates.

### Does DR.Orbit have ads?

No, DR.Orbit does not contain advertisements, as the 'hasAds' field is false.

### What is the user sentiment for DR.Orbit?

The app has a rating of 2.0 stars from 1 rating, suggesting a generally negative user experience based on available data.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.06 — 2017-06-10

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- support for iOS 9.1

### 1.05 — 2014-09-27

- bug fix for iOS 8 (vortex mode background rotation fixed)

### 1.03 — 2013-09-26

- added language support for French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Russian

### 1.02 — 2013-09-22

- bug fixes

### 1.01 — 2013-09-18

- fixed some bugs
- added German language support

## Apps similar to DR.Orbit

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Thermal Energy Transfer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thermal-energy-transfer/id1118292501) | — | $0.99 | Education |
| [Ecological Pyramid](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecological-pyramid/id1002379515) | 2.0 (1) | $0.99 | Education |
| [CloudLabs Lifting a Load](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudlabs-lifting-a-load/id1634443833) | — | Free | Education |
| [Rene Descartes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rene-descartes/id1434907173) | — | $1.99 | Education |
| [CloudLabs Free practice - RUM](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudlabs-free-practice-rum/id1633733491) | — | Free | Education |
| [CloudLabs Linear Motion - RUM](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudlabs-linear-motion-rum/id1633089358) | — | Free | Education |

## More apps by Daniel Roth

- [DR.Lissajous](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drlissajous/id713543974)
- [LGKA](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lgka/id915290742)
- [DR.Osci.HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/droscihd/id1003071526)

All apps by Daniel Roth: https://appshunter.io/developer/356650850

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-07.*