This is part of the internal resonant portion of a Hemispherical Resonator Gyro (HRG). It measures the vibration of the cup-shaped resonator, which is an indicaiton of acceleration. An HRG senses acceleration by the change in phase of vibration of a cup-shaped resonator, similar to the way a wine-glass resonates when rubbed by a wet finger. The device is rugged and accurate, and it has replaced other models of mechanical gyroscopes on most deep-space missions, as well asn other applications.
Northrop Grumman donated this to the Museum in 2011.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.