Spinning gyroscope, side view. A gyroscope is a spinning disc mounted in gimbals, whose rapid spinning means it resists changes to its spin axis caused by the movement of its frame. This is due to the conservation of angular momentum, and means that as long as the disc spins, the gyroscope itself will not fall of its pedestal. As the disc slows and stops, the gyroscope leans and eventually falls off. Gyroscopes are used in guidance and orientation systems.