Sensors and control of a space-based six-axis vibration isolation system

A study of several critical aspects of six-axis hexapods used for space-based vibration isolation is conducted. These issues include the choice of sensor and subsequent control architecture, the predictability and limitations of the experimental system dynamics and therefore the ultimate robustness of the design, and the achievement of performance and robustness requirements for future space-based interferometers. The cross-axis dynamics, which is a limiting factor in achievable performance, is shown to be dependent on the internal wiring of the struts. A two-sensor control architecture is shown to be the only sensor suite to meet the performance and robustness requirements of future interferometers. Many of the insights in this paper are derived from experimental evidence of a full, six-axis hexapod system.