Gravity Off-Load System (Unit B)

The Satellite Applications Catapult is seeking a suitable provider to an overhead gantry system that will enable simulation of orbital environments by off-loading the effect of gravity on a suspended object. The system provided will installed in a new Catapult facility and will cover an area of 15m x 15m x 7m (lxwxh) and capable of carrying a 200kg payload. The system will be required to suspend objects in a free-floating manner but be able to move the object in any direction when a force is applied to it, thus simulating the in-orbit dynamics experienced during contact between space craft. As such, 6 degrees of freedom are required at the attachment point. The system will need to utilise its own control system to enable this, but it must be possible to provide force, position, and trajectory data to external systems in a suitable format for data processing and control of other systems. Installation & commissioning of the system is to be included by the supplier.