dscc0361.jpg

The sign accompanying the ST-80. It reads

---

Redstone Missile Gyroscope

On loan from the National Air & Space Museum
in Washington, D.C.

Gyroscopes are fundamental for guiding missiles in flight. The inertia in their spinning disks makes them resist changes in their attitude. By connecting them to computers which move the missile's steering fins, gyroscopes help keep rockets on course by alerting the computer to changes in direction.

This gyroscope is one of two from a Redstone missile and was built by Ford Instrument Company of the Sperry-Rand Corporation.

---