diff --git a/tests/informational/Makefile b/tests/informational/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..811f98f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/informational/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Makefile for Informational Tests
+# These tests are not part of the main test suite
+# They are for diagnostic and informational purposes only
+
+BUILD_DIR = ../../build
+SRC_DIR = ../../src
+
+# Compiler flags
+CFLAGS = -Wall -Wextra -g -ggdb3 -std=c++14
+INCLUDES = -I$(SRC_DIR) \
+           -isystem../../ext/tomlc17/src \
+           -isystem../../ext/raylib/src \
+           -isystem../../ext/raygui/src \
+           -isystem../../ext/raygui/styles
+
+# Source files (from main project that informational tests depend on)
+CORE_OBJECTS = $(BUILD_DIR)/test_utilities.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/physics.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/orbital_mechanics.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/simulation.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/config_loader.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/config_validator.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/maneuver.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/spacecraft.o \
+             $(BUILD_DIR)/tomlc17.o
+
+# Informational test sources
+INFO_TESTS = test_time_step_stability.cpp
+INFO_BINS = $(patsubst %.cpp,%,$(INFO_TESTS))
+
+# Default target - build all informational tests
+all: $(INFO_BINS)
+	@echo "All informational tests built successfully"
+	@echo ""
+	@echo "To run tests:"
+	@echo "  ./test_time_step_stability"
+	@echo ""
+	@echo "To run specific test case:"
+	@echo "  ./test_time_step_stability '[timestep][stability]'"
+
+# Build individual test binaries
+$(INFO_BINS): $(patsubst %.cpp,%.o,$(INFO_TESTS)) $(CORE_OBJECTS)
+	g++ $(patsubst %.cpp,%.o,$<) $(CORE_OBJECTS) -o $@ -lCatch2Main -lCatch2 -lm
+	@echo "Built $@"
+
+# Build test object files
+test_time_step_stability.o: test_time_step_stability.cpp
+	g++ $(CFLAGS) $(INCLUDES) -c $< -o $@
+
+# Build core objects if they don't exist
+$(BUILD_DIR)/%.o:
+	$(MAKE) -C ../../ build/$*.o
+
+# Clean built files in informational directory
+clean:
+	rm -f $(INFO_BINS) *.o
+
+# Clean all (including core build - use with caution!)
+clean-all:
+	$(MAKE) -C ../../ clean
+	rm -f $(INFO_BINS) *.o
+
+# Run the time step stability test (must run from project root)
+run-timestep: test_time_step_stability
+	@echo "Note: Tests must be run from project root directory:"
+	@echo "  From project root: ./tests/informational/$@"
+
+# Run with verbose output to see binary search progress
+run-timestep-verbose: test_time_step_stability
+	@echo "Note: Tests must be run from project root directory:"
+	@echo "  From project root: ./tests/informational/$@ -s \"[timestep][stability]\""
+
+.PHONY: all clean clean-all run-timestep run-timestep-verbose
diff --git a/tests/informational/README.md b/tests/informational/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a83c5f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/informational/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+# Informational Tests
+
+This directory contains tests that are not part of the standard test suite. These tests are provided for informational purposes only and should be run separately.
+
+## Purpose
+
+Informational tests are designed to:
+- Explore simulation boundaries and limits
+- Provide diagnostic information about the simulation
+- Test extreme or edge cases that don't fit into normal test suites
+- Help understand system behavior under various conditions
+
+## Running Informational Tests
+
+Informational tests are **not** run by `make test`. To build and run them:
+
+```bash
+cd tests/informational
+make
+./time_step_test
+```
+
+## Current Tests
+
+### `test_time_step_stability.cpp`
+
+Determines the maximum stable time step for the RK4 integration across different orbital regimes.
+
+**Test Bodies:**
+- **Mercury Orbiter** (MESSENGER-like): 200 km altitude, ~12 hour period
+- **Io** (Jupiter's moon): 421,700 km orbit, ~1.77 day period
+- **Moon** (Earth's moon): 384,400 km orbit, ~27.3 day period
+
+**Stability Criteria:**
+- Energy drift < 1% over 100 orbits
+- Distance drift < 5%
+- No SOI transitions (body doesn't change parent)
+
+**Configuration:** Uses `test_time_step_stability.toml`
+
+**Usage:**
+```bash
+# From project root directory:
+./tests/informational/test_time_step_stability
+
+# Or using the Makefile:
+cd tests/informational
+make run-timestep
+
+# Run specific test case
+./tests/informational/test_time_step_stability '[timestep][stability]'
+
+# Run with verbose output to see binary search progress
+./tests/informational/test_time_step_stability -s "[timestep][stability]"
+```
+
+**Note:** Tests must be run from the project root directory because config file paths are relative to the root.
+
+**Expected Output:**
+The test performs a binary search to find the maximum stable time step, printing progress for each dt value tested. Results show the minimum stable dt across all tested bodies with recommendations.
+
+## Adding New Informational Tests
+
+1. Create a new `.cpp` file in this directory
+2. Add corresponding `.toml` config file if needed
+3. Add a target in the `Makefile`:
+   ```makefile
+   your_test_name: your_test_name.o
+   	g++ $(BUILD_DIR)/*.o -o $@ -lCatch2Main -lCatch2 -lm
+   ```
+4. Update this README with test description
+5. Follow the naming convention: `test_<purpose>.cpp` and `test_<purpose>.toml`
diff --git a/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability b/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..c8734ec
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability differ
diff --git a/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.cpp b/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a79ebba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+#include <catch2/catch_test_macros.hpp>
+#include "../../src/physics.h"
+#include "../../src/simulation.h"
+#include "../../src/config_loader.h"
+#include "../../src/test_utilities.h"
+#include <cmath>
+#include <cstdio>
+
+struct TestBody {
+    const char* name;
+    int body_index;
+    int parent_index;
+    double expected_period_days;
+};
+
+const double SECONDS_PER_DAY = 86400.0;
+const double MIN_DT = 30.0;
+const double MAX_DT = 600.0;
+const double ENERGY_TOLERANCE = 1.0;
+const int NUM_ORBITS = 100;
+
+double calculate_orbital_period(CelestialBody* body, CelestialBody* parent) {
+    Vec3 relative_pos = vec3_sub(body->global_position, parent->global_position);
+    double r = vec3_magnitude(relative_pos);
+    Vec3 relative_vel = vec3_sub(body->global_velocity, parent->global_velocity);
+    double v = vec3_magnitude(relative_vel);
+    
+    double specific_energy = (v * v) / 2.0 - G * parent->mass / r;
+    double semi_major_axis = -G * parent->mass / (2.0 * specific_energy);
+    double period_seconds = 2.0 * M_PI * sqrt(pow(semi_major_axis, 3.0) / (G * parent->mass));
+    
+    return period_seconds;
+}
+
+bool is_dt_stable(SimulationState* sim, const TestBody& test_body, double dt, int num_orbits) {
+    SimulationState* test_sim = create_simulation(sim->max_bodies, sim->max_craft, sim->max_maneuvers, dt);
+    
+    REQUIRE(load_system_config(test_sim, "tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.toml"));
+    
+    int body_index = test_body.body_index;
+    int parent_index = test_body.parent_index;
+    
+    double initial_energy = calculate_system_total_energy(test_sim);
+    
+    Vec3 initial_pos_relative = vec3_sub(
+        test_sim->bodies[body_index].global_position,
+        test_sim->bodies[parent_index].global_position
+    );
+    double initial_distance = vec3_magnitude(initial_pos_relative);
+    
+    double period = calculate_orbital_period(&test_sim->bodies[body_index], &test_sim->bodies[parent_index]);
+    double max_time = period * num_orbits;
+    
+    bool completed = true;
+    while (test_sim->time < max_time) {
+        update_simulation(test_sim);
+        
+        if (test_sim->bodies[body_index].parent_index != parent_index) {
+            completed = false;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    
+    double final_energy = calculate_system_total_energy(test_sim);
+    double energy_drift_percent = fabs((final_energy - initial_energy) / initial_energy) * 100.0;
+    
+    Vec3 final_pos_relative = vec3_sub(
+        test_sim->bodies[body_index].global_position,
+        test_sim->bodies[parent_index].global_position
+    );
+    double final_distance = vec3_magnitude(final_pos_relative);
+    double distance_drift_percent = fabs((final_distance - initial_distance) / initial_distance) * 100.0;
+    
+    bool stable = completed && (energy_drift_percent < ENERGY_TOLERANCE) && (distance_drift_percent < 5.0);
+    
+    destroy_simulation(test_sim);
+    
+    return stable;
+}
+
+double find_max_stable_dt(SimulationState* sim, const TestBody& test_body) {
+    double low = MIN_DT;
+    double high = MAX_DT;
+    double max_stable = low;
+    
+    printf("Testing %s (period ~%.2f days):\n", test_body.name, test_body.expected_period_days);
+    
+    for (int iter = 0; iter < 10; iter++) {
+        double mid = (low + high) / 2.0;
+        bool stable = is_dt_stable(sim, test_body, mid, NUM_ORBITS);
+        
+        if (stable) {
+            max_stable = mid;
+            low = mid;
+            printf("  dt=%.0fs: STABLE\n", mid);
+        } else {
+            high = mid;
+            printf("  dt=%.0fs: UNSTABLE\n", mid);
+        }
+        
+        if (high - low < 5.0) break;
+    }
+    
+    printf("  Maximum stable dt: %.0f seconds\n\n", max_stable);
+    return max_stable;
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Time step stability - Mercury orbiter (MESSENGER-like)", "[timestep][stability]") {
+    const double BASE_DT = 60.0;
+    SimulationState* sim = create_simulation(10, 0, 0, BASE_DT);
+    
+    TestBody mercury_orbiter = {"Mercury_Orbiter", 1, 0, 0.5};
+    double max_dt = find_max_stable_dt(sim, mercury_orbiter);
+    
+    INFO("Mercury orbiter maximum stable dt: " << max_dt << " seconds");
+    
+    REQUIRE(max_dt >= MIN_DT);
+    
+    destroy_simulation(sim);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Time step stability - Io (Jupiter's moon)", "[timestep][stability]") {
+    const double BASE_DT = 60.0;
+    SimulationState* sim = create_simulation(10, 0, 0, BASE_DT);
+    
+    TestBody io = {"Io", 3, 2, 1.77};
+    double max_dt = find_max_stable_dt(sim, io);
+    
+    INFO("Io maximum stable dt: " << max_dt << " seconds");
+    
+    REQUIRE(max_dt >= MIN_DT);
+    
+    destroy_simulation(sim);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Time step stability - Moon (Earth's moon)", "[timestep][stability]") {
+    const double BASE_DT = 60.0;
+    SimulationState* sim = create_simulation(10, 0, 0, BASE_DT);
+    
+    TestBody moon = {"Moon", 5, 4, 27.3};
+    double max_dt = find_max_stable_dt(sim, moon);
+    
+    INFO("Moon maximum stable dt: " << max_dt << " seconds");
+    
+    REQUIRE(max_dt >= MIN_DT);
+    
+    destroy_simulation(sim);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Find minimum stable time step across all bodies", "[timestep][stability]") {
+    const double BASE_DT = 60.0;
+    SimulationState* sim = create_simulation(10, 0, 0, BASE_DT);
+    
+    TestBody bodies[] = {
+        {"Mercury_Orbiter", 1, 0, 0.5},
+        {"Io", 3, 2, 1.77},
+        {"Moon", 5, 4, 27.3}
+    };
+    
+    double max_dt = MAX_DT;
+    
+    printf("\n=== Finding minimum stable dt across all bodies ===\n\n");
+    
+    for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
+        double body_max_dt = find_max_stable_dt(sim, bodies[i]);
+        if (body_max_dt < max_dt) {
+            max_dt = body_max_dt;
+        }
+    }
+    
+    printf("\n=== RESULTS ===\n");
+    printf("Minimum stable time step: %.0f seconds\n", max_dt);
+    printf("Recommended safe time step: %.0f seconds (%.0fx safety margin)\n", max_dt * 0.7, 1.0/0.7);
+    
+    INFO("Minimum stable dt: " << max_dt << " seconds");
+    
+    REQUIRE(max_dt >= MIN_DT);
+    
+    destroy_simulation(sim);
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Verify current default dt (60s) stability", "[timestep][stability]") {
+    const double DT = 60.0;
+    const int NUM_ORBITS = 10;
+    
+    SimulationState* sim = create_simulation(10, 0, 0, DT);
+    REQUIRE(load_system_config(sim, "tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.toml"));
+    
+    struct BodyTest {
+        int body_index;
+        int parent_index;
+        const char* name;
+    };
+    
+    BodyTest tests[] = {
+        {1, 0, "Mercury_Orbiter"},
+        {3, 2, "Io"},
+        {5, 4, "Moon"}
+    };
+    
+    for (int t = 0; t < 3; t++) {
+        int body_index = tests[t].body_index;
+        int parent_index = tests[t].parent_index;
+        const char* name = tests[t].name;
+        
+        double period = calculate_orbital_period(&sim->bodies[body_index], &sim->bodies[parent_index]);
+        double max_time = period * NUM_ORBITS;
+        
+        double initial_energy = calculate_system_total_energy(sim);
+        
+        INFO("Testing " << name << " with dt=" << DT << "s for " << NUM_ORBITS << " orbits");
+        
+        bool completed = true;
+        while (sim->time < max_time) {
+            update_simulation(sim);
+            
+            if (sim->bodies[body_index].parent_index != parent_index) {
+                completed = false;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        
+        double final_energy = calculate_system_total_energy(sim);
+        double energy_drift_percent = fabs((final_energy - initial_energy) / initial_energy) * 100.0;
+        
+        INFO(name << " completed: " << (completed ? "yes" : "no"));
+        INFO(name << " energy drift: " << energy_drift_percent << "%");
+        
+        REQUIRE(completed);
+        REQUIRE(energy_drift_percent < ENERGY_TOLERANCE);
+    }
+    
+    destroy_simulation(sim);
+}
diff --git a/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.toml b/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bed2f04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/informational/test_time_step_stability.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+# Time Step Stability Test Configuration
+# Contains bodies with different orbital periods for testing RK4 stability
+
+[[bodies]]
+name = "Mercury"
+mass = 3.285e23
+radius = 2.439e6
+parent_index = -1
+color = { r = 0.7, g = 0.7, b = 0.7 }
+orbit = {
+    semi_major_axis = 0.0,
+    eccentricity = 0.0,
+    true_anomaly = 0.0
+}
+
+# Low Mercury orbiter at 200 km altitude (MESSENGER-like)
+# Period ~12 hours - most restrictive case
+[[bodies]]
+name = "Mercury_Orbiter"
+mass = 1000.0
+radius = 1.0
+parent_index = 0
+color = { r = 1.0, g = 0.0, b = 1.0 }
+orbit = {
+    semi_major_axis = 2.639e6,
+    eccentricity = 0.0,
+    true_anomaly = 0.0
+}
+
+[[bodies]]
+name = "Jupiter"
+mass = 1.898e27
+radius = 6.9911e7
+parent_index = -1
+color = { r = 0.9, g = 0.7, b = 0.5 }
+orbit = {
+    semi_major_axis = 0.0,
+    eccentricity = 0.0,
+    true_anomaly = 0.0
+}
+
+# Io - Jupiter's moon
+# Period ~1.77 days
+[[bodies]]
+name = "Io"
+mass = 8.93e22
+radius = 1.822e6
+parent_index = 2
+color = { r = 0.9, g = 0.9, b = 0.3 }
+orbit = {
+    semi_major_axis = 4.217e8,
+    eccentricity = 0.0,
+    true_anomaly = 0.0
+}
+
+[[bodies]]
+name = "Earth"
+mass = 5.972e24
+radius = 6.371e6
+parent_index = -1
+color = { r = 0.0, g = 0.5, b = 1.0 }
+orbit = {
+    semi_major_axis = 0.0,
+    eccentricity = 0.0,
+    true_anomaly = 0.0
+}
+
+# Moon - Earth's moon
+# Period ~27.3 days
+[[bodies]]
+name = "Moon"
+mass = 7.342e22
+radius = 1.737e6
+parent_index = 4
+color = { r = 0.7, g = 0.7, b = 0.7 }
+orbit = {
+    semi_major_axis = 3.844e8,
+    eccentricity = 0.0,
+    true_anomaly = 0.0
+}