A Yahoo! news brief this morning reported a huge solar flare may have affected the gyroscopes in the international space station, briefly disrupting stability. Apparently, there are 4 washing-machine-sized gyroscopes on board that help maintain the station’s attitude without much fuel usage. (Because of the gyroscopes, the space station doesn’t have to keep using fuel-costly thrusters to adjust orientation. I guess once a gyroscope is primed, its use of energy is minimal.) Two functioning gyroscopes are sufficient to maintain stability on the station—three of the four are in use at this time. It would be interesting to see one of the gyroscopes--the picture that came up with in my 16-second research just shows the cavity where the gyroscope belongs. Better yet to see one in person.

Meanwhile, the flare--and its solar wind--may have caused not only the brief destabilization, but some auroras that impressed the crew. It would be something to see the light show too.