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inertial measurement unit
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[remote sensing]
Also known by the acronym IMU. A device that measures the linear acceleration (force) and angular (attitude) rates of an object. IMUs are composed of accelerometers and gyroscopes and are used to assist with precision when navigating airborne and spaceborne vehicles and for direct geopositioning of remote sensor data. IMUs are frequently integrated with GPS/GNSS systems and other aiding sensors, such as star trackers in satellites, to determine orientation.