A stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) gyroscope comprises a resonator; a first laser in communication with the resonator and configured to emit a first optical signal propagating in a first direction, the first optical signal producing a first SBS signal counter-propagating in a second direction; a second laser in communication with the resonator and configured to emit a second optical signal propagating in the first direction, the second optical signal producing a second SBS signal counter-propagating in the second direction; a third laser in communication with the resonator and configured to emit a third optical signal propagating in the second direction, the third optical signal producing a third SBS signal counter-propagating in the first direction. At least one photodetector is coupled to the resonator and receives the SBS signals, which are combined in the photodetector to produce electrical signals that include rotational rate information encoded in frequencies of the electrical signals.

An apparatus for determining a spatial disposition of a movable object includes a support base configured to be carried by the movable object, a first inertial sensor coupled to the support base via a first damping element configured to damp motion of the first inertial sensor, and a second inertial sensor coupled to the support base via a second damping element configured to damp motion of the second inertial sensor. The first inertial sensor and the second inertial sensor are of different sensor types. The first damping element and the second damping element have different damping properties.

An apparatus for determining a spatial disposition of a movable object includes a support base configured to be carried by the movable object, a first inertial sensor coupled to the support base via a first damping element configured to damp motion of the first inertial sensor, and a second inertial sensor coupled to the support base via a second damping element configured to damp motion of the second inertial sensor. The first inertial sensor and the second inertial sensor are of different sensor types. The first damping element and the second damping element have different damping properties.

An agile attitude control system (AACS) that is a three axis attitude control device for small spacecraft based on miniature single gimbal control moment gyroscopes (SGCMGs) actuators. The AACS enables agile attitude slewing and accurate pointing/tracking for spacecraft made of multiple CubeSat units, or, more generally, for nanosatellites.

An agile attitude control system (AACS) that is a three axis attitude control device for small spacecraft based on miniature single gimbal control moment gyroscopes (SGCMGs) actuators. The AACS enables agile attitude slewing and accurate pointing/tracking for spacecraft made of multiple CubeSat units, or, more generally, for nanosatellites.

An inertial measurement unit (IMU) device includes an IMU sensor, a controller, a temperature sensor electrically connected to the controller, a heat source, and a heat conductive member. The controller is configured to, in response to a temperature of the IMU sensor detected by the temperature sensor falling below a threshold temperature, control the heat source to generate heat. The heat conductive member is configured to transfer heat from the heat source to the IMU sensor, and includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material.

An inertial measurement unit (IMU) device includes an IMU sensor, a controller, a temperature sensor electrically connected to the controller, a heat source, and a heat conductive member. The controller is configured to, in response to a temperature of the IMU sensor detected by the temperature sensor falling below a threshold temperature, control the heat source to generate heat. The heat conductive member is configured to transfer heat from the heat source to the IMU sensor, and includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material.

A levelness measuring system can be applied to a levelness measuring device, the device including an rail, a distance detector, and an angle detector. Both the distance detector and the angle detector are installed on the rail. The system includes a coordinate system establishing module, a distance measurement controlling module, a data fitting module, a plane equation calculating module, a first angle calculating module, an angle measurement controlling module, a second angle calculating module, and a display controlling module. A coordinate system in three dimensions is applied to an inaccessible or difficult surface such that direct contact is not required. A processor of a computer performs instructions to provide the functions of the levelness measuring system including a display.

A levelness measuring system can be applied to a levelness measuring device, the device including an rail, a distance detector, and an angle detector. Both the distance detector and the angle detector are installed on the rail. The system includes a coordinate system establishing module, a distance measurement controlling module, a data fitting module, a plane equation calculating module, a first angle calculating module, an angle measurement controlling module, a second angle calculating module, and a display controlling module. A coordinate system in three dimensions is applied to an inaccessible or difficult surface such that direct contact is not required. A processor of a computer performs instructions to provide the functions of the levelness measuring system including a display.

A controller controls precession of a gyroscope that oscillates about a precession axis perpendicular to a spin axis and a roll axis of the gyroscope. To do so, the controller detects a deviation of a center of the oscillation away from a nominal center. The precession is caused by roll of the gyroscope about the roll axis and imposes decreasing amounts of damping upon the roll as the precession moves away from the nominal center. The controller reduces the deviation of the center of the oscillation by applying an asymmetric amount of braking to the precession when the precession and the deviation are in a same direction relative to when the precession and the deviation are in opposing directions.