Gyroscopes in space

Gyroscopes form an important in keeping the International Space Station and satellites pointing the right way as they orbit our planet.

ESA astronaut Tim Peake shows how gyroscopes can be used to keep spacecraft stable during his six-month Principia mission.

There is no up or down in space. Satellites track their pointing direction using the same approach as on submarines and aircraft: fast-spinning gyroscopes that maintain a fixed orientation in the same way as a child’s spinning top. The International Space Station has four big gyroscopes which are used for stabilization of the Station.

[tomblack]

Just look how amazed he still is with this "toy" and the physics behind it. This enthusiasm and childlike curiosity is what you need to become a successfull scientist or even an astronaut. Greetings from Germany and keep up the good work.

[unvergebeneid]

Nice! But why couldn't he just levitate the microphone right in front of him for the time it took him to spin up the gyroscope, like a boss? ;)

[Gismotronics]

I was wondering about whether gyroscopes have precession in zero gravity. I assumed they would not precess but wanted to see that in action. So, I'm happy to find this video. More like this please!

[hunorendrevizi]

its so nice that we live exactly when we can see such a thing..

[THEunderscoreJOKE]

Amazing. I never knew about this phenomena.

[whoeveriamiam]

would you see that tumble if you'd let it go for an hour? because the space station rotates end over end once per orbit to keep the cupola aimed down and that gyro would not do that

[erikhaglind]

Where does the gyroacopes sit on the station?

[RenatoVKTNT]

Hi there, thank you for the great video. I have a question regarding the behaviour of this gyroscope during the duration of a full orbit. Will it's axis stay in the same orientation to the z axis of the ISS or will it make a full revolution during the time of a full orbit?
Cheers :-)

[capocannoniere]

Awesome! I love physics!Thank you Tim!Greetings from Argentina!

[martinvargas]

I think that's the same way how planets are stable.... the same grade of inclination and riding around our sun...

[seanmashley]

I'm curious, as the spacecraft orbits the earth, how does the gyroscope rotation axis change?
If the spacecraft is rotating with the same side always facing the earth, will we see the gyroscope rotating relative to the inside of the spacecraft?
Thank you, Mr. Tim Peake, this was very cool to see.

[FinnishedThirdMusic]

that is brilliant. absolutely brilliant.

[iinRez]

So if you were to make a perfect gyro, and eliminate all resistance of the axis perhaps with magnetic axis points will it spin indefinitely?

[ericcottle]

Can you imagine if that were a Beyblade toy? That'd be the coolest Beyblade battle ever!

[edisonphoenix]

What about the elastic collision of two spinning gyros (with a moderate speed)? Is anything unusual?

[robert_costello]

Can you please explain why did you store the microphone instead of letting it float in front of you?

[hcraretep]

Would like to see if procession occurs and a flip if given time.

[FrancescoDiMauro]

whoa! so if you connect three gyros togheter (arranged on the x, y, z axes), will they be stable in 3D space however you knock them?!

[kaprphish]

Coolest fg video I've seen in a LOOONG time.

[matissstoto]

Hey nice stuff. But for example, does that mean that the cinema stabilised remote heads work better in space/zero gravity?