Abstract: An active damping system for use in connection with a vibration isolation system is provided. The active damping system having an actuator for placement on the ground, and an intermediate mass supported on the actuator for acting as a stability point to which dynamic forces can be dampened and isolated from the payload. The active damping system also includes a passive damping element and a support spring, both coupled at one end to a payload and at an opposite end to the intermediate mass. At least one offload spring can be situated between the intermediate mass and the ground for partially supporting any weight from the payload acting on the actuator. A sensor can also be affixed to the intermediate mass to generate a feedback signal to the actuator for subsequent acting on the intermediate mass to permit the intermediate mass to act as a stability point. A system and method for isolating dynamic forces using such an active damper is also provided.