This simulation models the hypothetical return and landing of a highly durable probe sent from the distant past, arriving back at Earth approximately 1000 years in the future (~Year 3025). It assumes a technologically capable civilization exists on this future Earth.
What it Simulates:
The simulation uses a series of probabilistic checks (like rolling dice) to determine the outcome of the probe's arrival, considering several key factors:
Re-entry Angle: Checks if the probe enters the atmosphere at a viable angle.
Parachute Deployment: Simulates the low (10%) chance of the mechanism working after 1000 years.
Landing Location: Determines a random landing zone (weighted by area), refining it if on land.
Coastal Check: Adds a random chance (15%) for land impacts to be near a coast.
Disk Survival: Calculates the probability of data disks surviving impact, based on parachute status and surface type.
Time of Day: Randomly determines day or night impact.
Map: Visualizes the landing spot if specific land coordinates are generated.
How to Interpret the Results:
Step-by-Step Log: Follow the sequence of checks.
Map: If shown, gives a visual approximation of the landing site.
Disk Status: Shows if the data payload likely survived the impact.
Narrative Blurb: Provides a short description assuming detection by the future civilization.
Final Outcome Message: Summarizes success based on data survival AND likelihood of recovery (Success, Success (Potentially), Warning/Effective Failure, Failure).
Important Note: This is a simplified probabilistic model for illustrative purposes and doesn't perform complex physics calculations. Probabilities are estimates.
Click the button to simulate the probe's landing...