Enhancing the isolation performance of hexapod platforms via alternative link joints and electromagnetic shunt dampers

Managing low-level mechanical disturbances on spacecraft is a principal design constraint for missions requiring extreme stability. Hexapod platforms are a primary candidate to meet the respective isolation requirements. However, the complexity of actively-controlled devices and problematic low-frequency dynamics of passive ones offset their favourable characteristics and hinder practical adoption. A potential solution is the integration of negative resistance electromagnetic shunt dampers (EMSDs) in the struts. They are low-power, semi-active isolators recently developed specifically for microvibration mitigation. On a system level, a high-frequency attenuation limit also needs to be ad dressed. It arises due to the exclusive use of rotational joints. To that end, this paper proposes alternative strut boundary conditions, facilitated by a novel planar joint concept. The current state of development of a high-performance hexapod platform incorporating both the EMSD struts and the new link joint is outlined.