a laser gyro start up apparatus and method that safely and quickly starts a laser gyro . a microprocessor sequences the mechanical and electrical systems of the laser gyro such that the gyro is started up quickly in the proper sequence . the microprocessor also executes tests on the gyro and provides a health signal in the timing sequence . the start up apparatus starts the laser block dither , laser discharge and acquires the path length controllers . optical start up operations may be performed including the calibration of volts per mode .