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What things can be done mechanically to make the ISS more stable in a dormant state without a crew?
I have listed a couple of links that may work, but I am open for constructive criticism and new ideas.

Muze
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  • The crew have nothing to do with keeping the ISS stable, it's all automatic. – GdD Oct 23 '18 at 08:16
  • @GdD https://www.space.com/42156-soyuz-abort-close-call-space-policy-leroy-chiao-opinion.html – Muze Oct 23 '18 at 17:34

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Adding a long pole to the station (particularly with sufficient mass on the end) will increase the station's moment of inertia. This will reduce the effect that a perturbation will have on the station's attitude. However, it also makes it more difficult to correct an error in the attitude.

The reaction wheels that are already on the station are a better solution.

DrSheldon
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    How does gravity gradient play into this? – Organic Marble Oct 22 '18 at 23:59
  • The pole itself would not have extra mass at the end. It would have solar vanes. – Muze Oct 23 '18 at 04:51
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    @Muze Which presumably have some mass. – JMac Oct 23 '18 at 11:43
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    If you want to comment on this in an informed way you should look up the subject. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity-gradient_stabilization Leaving this effect out makes your answer useless. – Organic Marble Oct 24 '18 at 16:32
  • @OrganicMarble is correct, other then stabilizing the pole with solar vanes the pole would stay vertical because of the gravity gradient of Earth. I'm sorry for presuming that was given and should have included it. – Muze Oct 27 '18 at 02:46
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    The ISS has Control Moment Gyroscopes, not reaction wheels. – pericynthion Oct 27 '18 at 17:00