Filipino students’ space gyroscope experiment tested by NASA astronaut on ISS

The Double Gyroscope Experiment Unveiled

The experiment, developed by third-year astrophysics students at Rizal Technological University (RTU)—Christopher Tumamac, Ryan Andrew Doña, and Rose Ann Cezar—aimed to study the behavior of gyroscopes in microgravity. The setup, consisting of two gyroscopes mounted at both ends of a stick, was designed to test how their motion interacts in a zero-gravity environment. According to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the experiment demonstrated a principle critical to spacecraft orientation, where satellites and spacecraft control their direction in space.

Williams, an astronaut with NASA, performed the experiment inside the Kibo module of the ISS, conducting 11 finalist experiments as part of the ATZG 2025 competition organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The students’ hypothesis posited that when the gyroscopes spin in opposite directions, their motion could cancel out, creating a stable or nearly motionless system. However, they also noted that minor differences in spinning might gradually alter the device’s orientation over time.

“The Double Gyroscope demonstrates a key principle used in spacecraft orientation,” PhilSA stated, emphasizing its relevance to space exploration. The experiment was one of 11 selected finalists from countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, with participants observing the live stream at the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center in Japan.

Students’ Journey and Hypotheses

The RTU team, who presented their proposal at the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center before the live execution, described the Double Gyroscope as a device where “two gyroscopes mounted at both ends of a stick” respond to tangential forces. Their experiment sought to observe whether the gyroscopes would “exhibit precession at a certain angle” when spinning in the same direction or “rotate freely with little to no resistance” when spinning oppositely.

The students emphasized their goal of challenging themselves as a team and inspiring future space enthusiasts in the Asia-Pacific region. Their work aligns with the ATZG competition’s mission to engage young scientists in proposing experiments for microgravity conditions. “We hypothesized that when the gyroscopes spin in opposite directions, their motion may cancel each other out, causing the system to appear stable or nearly motionless,” Tumamac and Doña explained in a pre-recorded video released by JAXA.

The results of the experiment, which aligned with the students’ hypotheses, will be presented in the 2025 ATZG wrap-up session later this year. JAXA Kibo Utilization Center Director Dr. Masaki Shirakawa and JAXA astronaut Norishige Kannai awarded the team certificates of recognition, highlighting the significance of their contribution to space science.

Global Competition and International Collaboration

The ATZG 2025 competition, initiated by JAXA, invites students across the Asia-Pacific to submit experiments for execution in space. Since 2022, Filipino students have consistently participated, with previous experiments including the “Rotation of Dumbbell-Shaped Objects” and “Effectivity of Elastic Resistance Band Exercise in Zero-Gravity.” This year’s event underscored the growing role of international collaboration in space research, with astronauts like Williams conducting experiments from the ISS while finalists watched live from Japan.

Williams’ work on the Double Gyroscope was part of a broader effort to test scientific concepts in microgravity. The experiment’s success reflects the increasing accessibility of space for educational initiatives, allowing students to contribute to real-world research. “This demonstrates how space can be a platform for innovation and global cooperation,” said a PhilSA representative.

The competition’s emphasis on microgravity research has practical applications for spacecraft design and satellite technology. By studying gyroscopic motion in space, scientists can refine methods for stabilizing satellites and improving navigation systems. The RTU students’ experiment, while simple in design, highlights the potential of grassroots scientific inquiry to inform complex engineering challenges.

Implications for Space Exploration

The Double Gyroscope experiment exemplifies how student-led research can bridge theoretical physics with practical space applications. Gyroscopes are fundamental to spacecraft orientation, and understanding their behavior in microgravity could lead to advancements in satellite stability and maneuverability. The experiment’s findings may also inform future missions requiring precise control in space, such as deep-space exploration or orbital maintenance.

For the RTU team, the achievement represents a significant step in their academic and professional journeys. Their work has already garnered recognition from JAXA and PhilSA, with the latter serving as the local organizer for the Philippines’ participation. “This is a proud moment for Filipino students and a testament to the country’s growing contributions to space science,” said a PhilSA spokesperson.

The success of the Double Gyroscope experiment also underscores the importance of programs like ATZG in fostering the next generation of scientists. By providing a platform for young researchers to test their ideas in space, such initiatives encourage innovation and global collaboration. As the 2025 ATZG wrap-up session approaches, the scientific community will be eager to see how the experiment’s results contribute to the broader field of aerospace engineering.

For now, the RTU students’ work stands as a symbol of what is possible when curiosity meets opportunity. Their experiment, conducted by a NASA astronaut in the vastness of space, reminds us that the future of exploration is not just about technology, but about the people who dare to dream beyond Earth.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source The experiment’s findings will likely offer valuable insights into rotational dynamics in microgravity, potentially influencing future satellite and spacecraft design efforts.