Microgravity drop towers are used in aerospace and scientific research as ground analog systems to simulate short durations of reduced gravity situations for testing experiments, sensors, and mechanical systems. This project consists of the design and development of an accessible, safe, and repeatable microgravity drop tower located at the University of California San Diego,. The microgravity drop tower will be used to support individual student projects and new opportunities for student research. 

  The system was designed to produce a 1 second duration microgravity through a 5-meter free-fall drop height, followed by 2-meters of stopping distance. The 2-meter stopping distance was designed to control the acceleration of the drop vehicle leading to the design of a 2-meter shock absorber system. The release mechanism is positioned at the the top of the drop tower, and features a manual release system to minimize impulse on the drop vehicle allowing the drop vehicle to experience true microgravity conditions. During free-fall period the drop vehicle will encase an onboard sensor packet that collects the acceleration, gyroscope, temperate, and visual data. 

To safely decelerate the drop vehicle, the 2-meter stopping distance consisted of shock absorption material; both polystyrene beads and polyurethane foam which is contained in the shock absorber bin. The shock absorber bin sits at the bottom of the encased structure, and has modes of mobility and immobility due to the system caster wheels. Together experimental data demonstrated; the hybrid material was more successful in maintaining peak deceleration than pure polyurethane foam, showcasing a stopping distance less than 2 meters,  and ensured no damage to the drop vehicle. The system concludes with the retrieval process; a net system that is manually tensioned and enough mesh distance to funnel through the beads. 

The overall system includes key safety features that includes a lockout system, user manual, controlled release system, and netting around the structure to ensure users and viewers are protected through the entire system activation. The system differs from many large scale drop towers because of its accessibility, ease of use, repeatability, and enables frequent tests to be conducted for student and research applications. The system provides a reliable system that will further research capabilities on the campus of University of California San Diego, and will expand knowledge on the topic of ground analog systems and microgravity research.