The Electro-Motive Drop Tower (EMDT) is a proposed upgrade to the existing Zero Gravity Research Facility (ZGF) – NASA GRC’s 5.2-second drop tower. The initiative aims to improve the ZGF; increasing test throughput, low gravity duration, and providing intermediate gravity levels, such as lunar and Martian gravity. The concept is similar to what has been built at Leibniz University in Hannover Germany. The feasibility of constructing an Electro-Motive Drop Tower in the ZGF shaft has been studied extensively during the past few years. The rail guided, linear motor driven EMDT concept shows promise for nearly doubling the facility test time, increasing facility test throughput by an order of magnitude, and offering the possibility of performing tests in alternate gravity levels; all important to advancing NASA’s mission.
