Calculating paths and conics through space!

[ummwut]

I am familiar with calculus and differential equations, but I really don't know anything about physics.

How does the game calculate the paths our ships take? I'd like to learn how, so I can supplement what the game shows me with other information.

[tavert]

Lots of useful math here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler_orbit

And when you change sphere of influence, the game is using the patched conic approximation

[ummwut]

Thanks, tavert! This will get me started.

I'm also looking for other information that can help me derive equations like Kepler's, but I should probably just go watch some physics videos on Khan Academy.

[Specialist290]

Another site you might find useful is Project Rho's Atomic Rockets. Tons of useful stuff all over the place, and even has the advantage that you don't really need to do any advanced-level math to get the basics down.

[ummwut]

Thanks, Specialist! Any pages of interest on there that I should know about?