The NASA Challenge web app now supports full 3D space navigation using keyboard controls!
- W / Up Arrow: Move forward
- S / Down Arrow: Move backward
- A / Left Arrow: Move left (strafe)
- D / Right Arrow: Move right (strafe)
- Q: Move down (descend)
- E: Move up (ascend)
- Hold Shift: Move faster (2x speed boost)
- ESC: Unlock camera from selected object
- Immediately frees camera from any locked view
- Resets focus to center
- Cancels any ongoing zoom animations
- Use this if you feel "stuck" on a planet or star!
- Left Click + Drag: Rotate camera view (orbit)
- Right Click + Drag: Pan camera
- Scroll Wheel: Zoom in/out
- Click on Star/Planet: Select and focus
- Hover over Star/Planet: ✨ Objects brighten on hover (visual feedback)
- Reset View Button: Return to default camera position
- Speed Slider: Adjust orbital animation speed
- Back to Main View: Return to heliocentric view (when viewing a system)
If you feel locked or stuck on an object, you have several options:
- Press ESC - Instant unlock (recommended!)
- Use WASD keys - Keyboard movement breaks the lock naturally
- Drag with mouse - Mouse interaction cancels zoom animations
- Click "Reset View" - Returns to default position
- Click "Back to Main View" - Returns to main map
- Combine keyboard movement with mouse rotation for smooth navigation
- Use Shift for quick traversal across large distances
- The controls work in all viewing modes (Earth, System, Explore)
- Camera movement respects the current view direction
- New! Press ESC anytime to regain full camera control
Enjoy exploring the cosmos! 🚀✨