The latest articles on Forem by Ritesh Meena (@ritesh_meena_c418159b701a). https://forem.com/ritesh_meena_c418159b701a https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F2489647%2F4d1d3815-a6ae-45fe-84c1-90568f884c98.jpg https://forem.com/ritesh_meena_c418159b701a en Ritesh Meena Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:15:13 +0000 https://forem.com/ritesh_meena_c418159b701a/how-i-built-a-browser-based-3d-solar-system-with-threejs-and-why-it-was-harder-than-i-expected-12k9 https://forem.com/ritesh_meena_c418159b701a/how-i-built-a-browser-based-3d-solar-system-with-threejs-and-why-it-was-harder-than-i-expected-12k9 <h2> Introduction </h2> <p>When I started building Cosmic Explorer, I thought it would take a few weeks. It took much longer — and I learned more about browser-based 3D rendering than I ever expected.</p> <p>Cosmic Explorer is a fully interactive 3D solar system that runs in your browser, built with Three.js and vanilla JavaScript. It includes real planetary data, a flyable spaceship, wormhole travel, and a complete asteroid escape mini-game. No downloads. No installs. Just open a tab.</p> <p>Live demo: <a href="https://rtm20.github.io/cosmic-explorer/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://rtm20.github.io/cosmic-explorer/</a></p> <h2> The Tech Stack </h2> <p>Everything is built on:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Three.js</strong> for 3D scene management and WebGL abstraction</li> <li> <strong>Custom GLSL shaders</strong> for the wormhole effect and planet atmospheres</li> <li> <strong>Vanilla JavaScript</strong> — no frameworks for the core engine</li> <li> <strong>Procedural generation</strong> for the asteroid fields</li> <li> <strong>Web Audio API</strong> for the ambient soundtrack</li> </ul> <p>The final codebase is approximately 6,000 lines, all handcrafted.</p> <h2> Conclusion </h2> <p>Browser-based 3D is far more capable than most developers give it credit for. If you have been curious about Three.js, WebGL, or real-time 3D in the browser, this project convinced me that the platform is ready for serious interactive experiences.</p> <p>If you try it out, I would love to know what you think in the comments.</p> <p>Live: <a href="https://rtm20.github.io/cosmic-explorer/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://rtm20.github.io/cosmic-explorer/</a><br> GitHub: <a href="https://github.com/rtm20" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://github.com/rtm20</a></p> javascript threejs programming showdev