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Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. ABSTRACT1Spacecraft carry instruments and sensors that gather information from distant points, for example, from the Earth's surface several hundred kilometers away. Small vibrations on the spacecraft can reduce instrument effectiveness significantly. Vibration isolation systems are one means of minimizing the jitter of sensitive instruments. This paper describes one such system, the Satellite Ultraquiet Isolation Technology Experiment (SUITE). SUITE is a piezoelectric-based technology demonstration scheduled to fly in 2000 on PICOSat, a microsatellite fabricated by Surrey Satellite Technology, Ltd. Control from the ground station is planned for the first year after launch. SUITE draws on technology from previous research programs as well as a commercial piezoelectric vibration isolation system. The paper details the features of SUITE, with particular emphasis on the active hexapod assembly. A description of the PICOSat spacecraft and the other considerations preceding the development of the flight hardware begins the paper. Experiment goals are listed. The mechanical and electromechanical construction of the SUITE hexapod assembly is described, including the piezoelectric actuators, motion sensors, and electromagnetic actuators. The data control system is also described briefly, including the digital signal processor and spacecraft communication. The main features of the software used for real-time control and the supporting Matlab software used for control system development and data processing are summarized.

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