Space Forum / Shuttle / February 2007

Hi there

I have recently come across the idea of a 3-axis gimbal to keep an
object (mounted in the innermost ring) horizontal regardless of the
motion of the support (on which the outermost ring is pivoted). I
understand that the 3-axis (3-rings, with the outermost ring pivoted
on the support that is prone to rotation) gimbal would prevent
rotation about 3 mutually-perpendicualr axes (let's call them x, y and
z).

But what if the support (on which the outermost ring is pivoted)
rotates about an axis that is at an angle to all of of these 3
mutually-perpendicular axes, ie lets' say at an angle of 30deg to x, y
and z axes? Since the 3 rings are designed to prevent rotation of the
object ONLY if the support rotates about one of the 3 perpendicualr
axes, how will object behave if the support rotated abiut any other
arbitrary axes?

Your comment will be appreciated.
Thanks