<title>Hybrid active/passive actuator for spacecraft vibration isolation and suppression</title>

Abstract

A high-performance active/passive actuator has been developed for a multi-axis isolation and positioning system. This system will be used for pointing and vibration isolation of an optical spacecraft payload. The complementary active and passive elements are designed to provide passive broadband isolation,with active low- frequency isolation and steering. The active element is a linear, voice coil motor, based on Lorentz's force equation, and designed specifically for this application. The passive element consists of a tuned, three-parameter passive isolator. The governing relationships and methodology used in the active/passive actuator design are discussed along with integration issues. Actuator test data are presented and compared to expected performance demonstrating the actuator's predictability.