Micro-gravity Isolation using only Electro-magnetic Actuators

In this paper the design, construction and test of a free floating micro-gravity isolation platform to reduce the acceleration dose on zero gravity experiments on e.g. the International Space Station (ISS) is discussed. During the project a system is specified and constructed whereupon it is tested in the Sixth Student Parabolic Flight Campaign issued by the European Space Agency (ESA). The system consists of six custom made electro magnetic actuators which acts on the isolated platform based on the designed controller and their input from six accelerometers and six infrared position sensors. From the data acquired during the flights it is concluded that the control algorithm used to position the platform fulfills the requirements, but it is not yet possible to draw final conclusions on the performance of the acceleration controller.