Xaonon wrote:
What does this mean?

There are two gyroscopes still functioning, and that is enough
to stabilize the station, Suffredini said. If one of these remaining
gyroscopes fails, the station will rely on thrusters to keep it
steady.

Presumably they mean keeping the station oriented properly. Due to tidal
forces any asymmetrical mass in orbit will tend to orient itself with its
long axis pointing through the Earth's center of mass, giving it a
rotational period equal to its orbital period (tide locking). Gyroscopes
tend to maintain their orientations, so I assume that including some on the
station would reduce the tidal effect.

Are they gyroscopes or angular momentum dumps?
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.