Wind Vane
In space and astronautical engineering, a wind vane is a device that measures the direction of the wind. It consists of a flat or curved surface that is pointed into the wind, and a tail that is perpendicular to the surface. As the wind blows, the tail moves, and the angle of the tail relative to the surface indicates the direction of the wind. Wind vanes are commonly used on spacecraft and satellites to determine their orientation relative to the Earth's atmosphere, and to help control their attitude and trajectory.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Nuclear Reactions: Nuclear reactions are processes in which the nucleus of an atom is altered, resulting in the release or absorption of energy. In space and astronautical engineering, nuclear reactions are used to power spacecraft and generate electricity. N ... Read More >>
- Habitat Construction: Habitat construction refers to the process of designing, building, and maintaining structures that can support human life in space. These structures can range from small, temporary habitats for short-term missions to larger, more permanent ... Read More >>
- Communication Network: Communication Network refers to the system of interconnected communication devices and infrastructure that enables the exchange of information between different entities in space and astronautical engineering context. This includes various ... Read More >>
Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06