Abstract: A three state EM motor/damper used in a ground-based or space-based Stirling refrigerator expander mechanism provides multiple states of operation to obtain fail safe performance during assembly, launch (space based refrigerators), and operation. The device is attached to the expander's reciprocating displacer to enable actuation during assembly, provide maximum damping during launch, and provide attenuated damping to control displacer motion during operation as a refrigerator. The motor/damper is a linearly actuated "voice coil" device employing a moving coil wound on an electrically conductive bobbin and oscillating within a permanent magnet/back iron field assembly. The electrically conductive bobbin internally generates and dissipates eddy currents when moved through the magnetic field. The bobbin acts as a coil of one turn, shorted to itself. This mechanism transforms kinetic energy to electrical energy, which then dissipates as heat. In this manner, mechanical energy is removed from the system.