🛑 A stopping device 🔄 To stop spinning 🔄 Stopping spin

despin

1 9.9

A device that stops or reduces the spin of a satellite

noun
/dɛsˈpɪn/

Specialized

: desacelerador

Engineers designed a new despin mechanism for the satellite.

Examples

The satellite was equipped with a despin to ensure its instruments pointed correctly.
Engineers tested the despin mechanism before launching the new rocket stage.
A malfunction in the despin caused the probe to spin uncontrollably after separation.
The spacecraft uses a despin device to stabilize its orientation.
The engineers designed a special despin device to stabilize the satellite during its orbit.
To prevent the spacecraft from spinning uncontrollably, the team used a reliable despin mechanism.
For safe landing, the pilot activated the despin device to stop the rotation of the craft.

Surface Forms

despin singular

despins plural

Morphology

despin = despin (semi-transparent) = de + spin

Conversion from the verb clearly signals something related to despinning, but the specific instrument or device reading is not fully predictable.

Etymology

Despin is made of the parts de- ('remove') and spin ('to turn quickly'). A despin is therefore a tool that takes away or slows a spin, which is why it is the device that stops a spacecraft from turning.