what to use for 3D imaging?

I'm involved in a project in which we will show pictures of the Earth 
rotating with pictures of satellites moving in their orbits about the 
Earth, and I'm at the stage of deciding what tool to use.

I see Java 3D.  But I wonder about Flash.  What experiences do people 
have with these tools and others that might do the job?

Thanks,
Rich Hammer
Hillsborough