We describe a technology experiment on the x ray timing explorer spacecraft to determine the feasibility of interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes for space flight navigation. The experiment consists of placing a medium grade fiber optic gyroscope in parallel with the spacecraft's inertial reference unit. The performance of the fiber optic gyroscope is monitored and compared to the primary mechanical gyroscope's performance throughout the two-year mission life.
NASA's first in-space optical gyroscope: a technology experiment on the X-ray Timing Explorer spacecraft
Photonics for Space Environments ; 1993 ; Orlando,FL,United States
Proc. SPIE ; 1953 ; 52
1993-09-15
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Sampex: NASA's First Small Explorer Satellite
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