In aerospace engineering, spin stabilization is a method of stabilizing a satellite or launch vehicle by means of spin, i.e. rotation along the longitudinal axis.
The concept originates from conservation of angular momentum as applied to ballistics, where the spin is commonly obtained by means of rifling.
For most satellite applications this approach has been superseded by three-axis stabilization.
Spin-stabilization is used on rockets and spacecraft where attitude control is required without the requirement for on-board 3-axis propulsion or mechanisms, and sensors for attitude control and pointing.
Rockets and spacecraft that use spin stabilization: Despinning can be achieved by various techniques, including yo-yo de-spin.