ScienceJuly 17, 2026
gyroscopes
/ˈdʒaɪərəˌskoʊps/
Definition
Heavy, precision mechanical devices used for navigation and stabilization that are designed to survive the intense heat of atmospheric reentry.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek words 'gyros' (circle or ring) and 'skopein' (to look or view), the term was coined in the mid-19th century to describe an instrument used to observe the rotation of the Earth.
In the news
In this article, gyroscopes are cited as examples of dense, durable spacecraft components that are likely to withstand the extreme heat of the International Space Station's final controlled reentry.
The International Space Station loses about 100 meters of altitude a day and must be shoved back up by a docked Russian thruster roughly once a month to keep from falling
Read the full article ↗ScienceBlog.com