spin stabilization
Gyroscopic attitude control
Spin stabilization is a technique for keeping a spacecraft, projectile, or satellite oriented correctly by rotating it around its axis.
The gyroscopic effect of the spin resists changes in direction, much like a spinning top stays upright.
Rockets, bullets, and early satellites use spin stabilization because it requires no active control systems: The probe was spin-stabilized for its journey to Mars.
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- flywheelRotational energy storage device
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- precessionRotating axis gradually reorients
nutation · rifling · projectile · torque · angular momentum · moment of inertia · gyrostat · spacecraft · missile · spinning top · axis of rotation · rigid body · rotor · space probe · space mission · wobble · launch vehicle · ballistic
- ballisticsballistics, bullet, bullet drop, cartridge, trajectory
- rotational mechanicsangular momentum, moment of inertia, rotational motion, torque, rotational axis
- satellite operationsground control, mission control, control center, command center, telemetry
- Solar Sailssolar sail, light sail, light pressure, square sail, reflectivity
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, spacecraft, liftoff, orbit
- space operationsrocket launch, docking, spacewalk, EVA, landing