SpaceTime: Interactive 3D Solar System & Planetarium
A passion project born from our founder's aerospace engineering background and lifelong fascination with space. A browser-based 3D solar system simulator with sub-arcsecond accuracy, 200+ celestial objects, and immersive VR support — now used by educational institutions worldwide.
The Story
SpaceTime started as a passion project. Our founder, an aerospace engineer with a lifelong fascination for space, wanted to build the astronomy tool he wished he'd had in school. Existing software fell into two camps: professional tools inaccessible to students, or simplified apps that sacrificed scientific accuracy for aesthetics.
The goal: build a browser-based planetarium and solar system simulator that matches the positional accuracy of desktop planetarium software while delivering an immersive 3D experience that makes astronomy tangible for students. All running at 60fps in a standard web browser, with optional VR support for classroom headsets. What started as a weekend experiment grew into a 57,000-line application now used by educational institutions worldwide.
Engineering Highlights
Clean separation between React UI, Zustand state management, and Three.js rendering. Each layer communicates through well-defined interfaces, making the 57K-line codebase maintainable and testable.
Powered by the astronomy-engine library implementing JPL Development Ephemeris data. Planetary positions match professional planetarium software to within one arcsecond — verified by 250+ automated tests.
Custom GLSL shaders handle atmospheric scattering, ring transparency, shadow volumes, and starfield rendering. Instanced rendering keeps frame rates smooth even with hundreds of objects on screen.
Key Features We Built
Navigate the entire solar system in real-time 3D. Every planet, moon, and dwarf planet rendered with accurate orbital mechanics using JPL ephemeris data via the astronomy-engine library.
Stand on any planet or moon and look up at a scientifically accurate sky. See constellations, the Milky Way, and celestial events exactly as they'd appear from that location at any point in time.
Relive the Apollo missions in 3D with historically accurate trajectory data. Watch spacecraft launch, perform trans-lunar injection, enter lunar orbit, and land — all rendered in real-time.
Predict and visualize solar and lunar eclipses with precise shadow casting. See umbral and penumbral shadow cones rendered accurately across planetary surfaces.
Step inside the solar system with full VR headset support. Interact with planets using motion controllers and experience astronomical scales in a truly immersive way.
Scrub through millions of years of orbital mechanics. Watch planetary alignments unfold, fast-forward through orbital periods, or pause to examine a specific moment in astronomical history.
The Result
What began as a passion project is now used by educational institutions worldwide as a teaching tool for astronomy and astrophysics. Students can explore the solar system, witness eclipses, and relive historic space missions — all from their browser or VR headset. It's a testament to what happens when deep domain expertise meets modern web engineering.
Tech Stack Used
Ready to Build Something Extraordinary?
From 3D visualization to AI-powered platforms — we build complex, production-grade applications that push the boundaries of what's possible in the browser.
Get Your Free AssessmentWe take on 2-3 new clients per quarter. Currently accepting Q2 2025 projects.