Gyroscope

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

A device, based on the principle of angular momentum conservation (mechanical gyroscopes) or other physical phenomena (e.g., MEMS, fiber optic gyroscopes), used to detect and measure angular velocity or maintain a fixed orientation in space, crucial for inertial navigation systems and attitude control.

BACKGROUND

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station in low Earth orbit (LEO). It is the product of the International Space Station program and is operated by five partner space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). It is the first space station built, maintained and crewed through international cooperation and the largest human spacecraft ever constructed. It is an orbital research station, where scientific experiments in microgravity are conducted and the space environment is studied. Since 2 November 2000, it has hosted the longest continuous presence of humans in space. Alongside Tiangong, it is one of the only two currently operational space stations.

SYNONYMS & ALIASES

• Gyro
• Inertial Sensor
• Rate Gyro
• Attitude Indicator

USAGE NOTE

Gyroscopes are essential components in inertial measurement units (IMUs) for spacecraft guidance.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Gyroscope.

• Honeywell Aerospace

  Honeywell develops and manufactures a wide range of gyroscopic sensors and systems for aerospace applications, including ring laser gyros (RLGs) and fiber optic gyros (FOGs) for inertial navigation and attitude reference systems in aircraft and spacecraft.

• Northrop Grumman

  A leading defense and aerospace company, Northrop Grumman designs and produces high-precision gyroscopes, including hermetic integrating gyros and inertial measurement units (IMUs), essential for navigation, guidance, and control systems in space vehicles and aircraft.

• Collins Aerospace (Raytheon Technologies)

  Collins Aerospace provides advanced avionics, navigation, and control systems for civil and military aerospace platforms, incorporating various types of gyroscopes for flight control, attitude sensing, and inertial navigation.

• Moog Inc.

  Moog is known for its precision motion control components for spacecraft, including control moment gyros (CMGs) and reaction wheels that utilize gyroscopic principles for attitude control and stabilization of satellites and other space vehicles.

• KVH Industries

  KVH Industries specializes in fiber optic gyros (FOGs) for navigation and stabilization systems across various sectors, including high-performance aerospace and defense applications requiring precise heading and attitude data.

• Sensonor

  Sensonor is a Norwegian company that develops high-performance MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) gyroscopes and inertial measurement units (IMUs) used in demanding applications such as aerospace, defense, and industrial control.

• Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd.

  A joint venture, Silicon Sensing Systems specializes in developing and manufacturing high-precision silicon MEMS gyroscopes and inertial measurement units (IMUs) for critical applications in aerospace, defense, and autonomous systems.

• Safran S. A.

  Safran provides advanced navigation and flight control systems for the aerospace industry, incorporating high-accuracy gyroscopes for inertial reference and attitude determination in aircraft and space applications.

• L3Harris Technologies

  L3Harris develops integrated mission systems for aerospace and defense, including advanced inertial navigation systems that rely on gyroscopes for precise positioning, attitude, and heading information in challenging environments.

• Anello Photonics

  Anello Photonics is developing new silicon photonics-based optical gyroscopes, known as the Anello IMU, offering superior performance and reliability for high-precision navigation and positioning in aerospace and autonomous vehicle applications.