diff --git a/include/irrDynamics.h b/include/irrDynamics.h
index b10bef0..a10069c 100644
--- a/include/irrDynamics.h
+++ b/include/irrDynamics.h
@@ -89,8 +89,14 @@ class irrDynamics
       * \param node The scene node the force should be applied to.
       * \param force The force to apply, the vector represents its direction, the vector length its power.*/
     static void applyCentralForce(irr::scene::ISceneNode* node, const irr::core::vector3df& force);
+    static void applyCentralImpulse(irr::scene::ISceneNode* node, const irr::core::vector3df& force);
     static void setDamping(irr::scene::ISceneNode* node, irr::f32 linearDamping, irr::f32 angularDamping);
     static void setPosition(irr::scene::ISceneNode* node, const irr::core::vector3df& newPos);
+    //! Change default gravity
+    /** Per default, irrDynamics is set to an earth-like gravitational force. Modify that for other planets
+      * or your space sim game.
+      * \param newGravity New gravitational force in m/s^2.*/
+    static void setGravity(irr::f32 newGravity);
 //    static IRigidBody* createRigidBodyByBB(scene::ISceneNode* node, f32 mass);
     static void debugDraw();
 
@@ -112,7 +118,6 @@ class irrDynamics
     class btSequentialImpulseConstraintSolver *solver;
     class btDiscreteDynamicsWorld* world;
 
-//    irrBulletWorld* bWorld;
     irr::u32 lastStep;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/irrDynamics.cpp b/src/irrDynamics.cpp
index 91ef997..f89204b 100644
--- a/src/irrDynamics.cpp
+++ b/src/irrDynamics.cpp
@@ -118,6 +118,11 @@ void irrDynamics::debugDraw()
 //    getInstance()->bWorld->debugDrawWorld(true);
 }
 
+void irrDynamics::setGravity(f32 newGravity)
+{
+    getInstance()->world->setGravity(btVector3(0.f, newGravity, 0.f));
+}
+
 void irrDynamics::updateObjects()
 {
     for (std::map<scene::ISceneNode*, btRigidBody*>::iterator iter = objects.begin(); iter != objects.end(); iter++)
@@ -354,6 +359,23 @@ void irrDynamics::applyCentralForce(scene::ISceneNode* node, const core::vector3
     }
 
     iter->second->applyCentralForce(btVector3(force.X, force.Y, force.Z));
+    iter->second->activate();
+}
+
+void irrDynamics::applyCentralImpulse(scene::ISceneNode* node, const core::vector3df& force)
+{
+    irrDynamics* inst = getInstance();
+    //find the corresponding rigid body:
+    std::map<scene::ISceneNode*, btRigidBody*>::iterator iter;
+    iter = inst->objects.find(node);
+    if (iter == inst->objects.end())
+    {
+        printf("irrdynamics: Unable to find node in list. Impulse application aborted.\n");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    iter->second->applyCentralImpulse(btVector3(force.X, force.Y, force.Z));
+    iter->second->activate();
 }
 
 btRigidBody* irrDynamics::addFloor(const core::vector3df& normal, const core::vector3df& offset)