Gyroscopes are mounted disks that spin so that their axes can turn freely and maintain a constant orientation in space. Consequently, they play an important role in space travel as they are used to stabilize spacecraft and keep them pointed in a specific direction. Any changes in a spacecraft's orientation detected by onboard gyroscopes can be used by guidance systems to make adjustments. This ability to retain a particular position is vital. For instance, it allows controllers to orient a spacecraft so that a communications antenna is pointed toward a receiving antenna and so that solar panels are pointed toward the Sun.

The microgyro, which is smaller than a dime, is better performing and cheaper than its larger counterparts.

Gyroscopes are the heart of the space shuttle's Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs). IMUs measure the shuttle's attitude and velocity, and this information is used by the shuttle's navigation, guidance...