[Coco] Re: off-topic, space program

[Kenneth Schunk]

Well, as I understand it the gyro's are used in the Hubble (and on the 
ISS) to MAINTAIN position, not to DETERMINE position. The inertia of 
the moving parts in the gyroscope is the main purpose, so removing the 
moving parts wouldn't be the way to go.

Ken

> Certainly the Hubbel won't live till then, due to gyro failures,
> although I'm still rather puzzled that the gyro's haven't long since
> been replaced with the laser interferometers that are probably 100x
> more accurate and no moving parts to wear out, only the laser diodes,
> or whatever is used to "pump" the real laser.  Maybe they take more
> power, and thats not in the power budget?