HelioSim – Real-time N-body simulator in WebAssembly

Hacker News

Hi HN! I built HelioSim, a real-time N-body gravitational system simulator running directly in the browser via WebAssembly. It’s written in C++ and uses OpenGL ES 3.0, GLFW, and Emscripten. The entire simulation and rendering pipeline runs in WebAssembly. Features: - Real-time N-body gravitational simulation - Predictive orbit trails - Collision handling - Time controls (slow motion / fast-forward) - Dynamic body spawning This was my first larger WebAssembly project, and I was honestly surprised how well modern browsers handle a C++ + OpenGL ES pipeline compiled to WASM. One interesting challenge was bridging events and state between JavaScript and C++, which can honestly be a bit exhausting. Source code: https://github.com/clemenskoprolin/heliosim I’d love feedback on performance on other machines. Thanks!

Visit product View on Hacker NewsFeb 26, 2026

Share card

Actual performance

1points

Did not reach leaderboard

Launch Intel predictions

Analyze your own launch →

Product HuntOn track for Day 1 leaderboard · Strong signals: mac, code, open · Missing: agents, macos, agent

78%78% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.

Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Strong signals: ios · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting

66%66% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Hacker NewsStrong engagement from HN community · Strong signals: pipe, io · Missing: https docs, excited, just released

64%64% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.

TrustMRRLess likely to generate early MRR · Strong signals: ios · Missing: mobile apps, personal, entrepreneurs

41%41% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

AppSumoMay struggle as an AppSumo deal · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive

39%39% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue

16%16% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto

1%1% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Incorrect prediction on native model

Similar products

COGXIO

Find someone interesting around you in real-time

BetaList

Visualizing the 2016 Presidential Discussion in Real Time (D3js)66%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Visualizing the 2016 Presidential Discussion in Real Time (D3js)

Hacker News4

Shoot ping pong balls in real time at roboempress57%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Shoot ping pong balls in real time at roboempress

Hacker News1

CertStream – See SSL certs as they're issued in real time54%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

CertStream – See SSL certs as they're issued in real time

Hacker News142

See your losses to inflation in real time56%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

See your losses to inflation in real time

Hacker News2

Dbpatterns Is Now Real Time56%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Dbpatterns Is Now Real Time

Hacker News1

Visualizing transit delays in real time for SF MUNI73%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Visualizing transit delays in real time for SF MUNI

Hacker News58

Precess , a real-time sass compiler59%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Precess , a real-time sass compiler

Hacker News1

Scrapy Real Time56%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Scrapy Real Time

Hacker News37

LiveSyncDesk49%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Keep everyone aligned together in real-time

Indie Hackers1communication

Browse all products Analyze your launch