Surprising things I learned when I started working on Space Flight Software ... from Newton to Maxwell to Einstein and the Constellation Urion (Apollo 13) by David Ferreira, Fourier Aerospace I've worked on some exciting and high-profile projects in my life, but nothing as exciting as the three aerospace projects I've worked on in the latest phase of my career. Part of the excitement for me has been learning some new things that made my head explode. Despite being a lifelong, hardcore fan of space exploration, science, and learning, there are a few technologies commonly used in spacecraft that were new and stunning to me - one, because it involves 5th grade science. 1. Reaction Wheels Remember in 3rd grade you saw a demonstration about gyroscopes (gyros) and pendulums? Maybe it involved a bicycle wheel -- and the instructor erroneously told you that bicycles stay upright because of gyroscopic forces? (That's not what keeps bicycles up ... but keep reading.) How does ...