Systems Engineering Portfolio

Deployable Space Structures

Shape-Memory Composites

The NASA contract “Self-Deploying Gossamer Support Structures” is funding CRG for the development of a revolutionary shape memory composite material known as Veritex™. This technology allows a rigid structural composite to soften when activated by heat and fold as if it were made of rubber. Once folded and deactivated, the composite will remain in its folded shape. When the composite is reactivated, it will return to its original shape without any assistance.

Benefits:

Shape memory technology benefits NASA by allowing large items, such as satellite dishes and solar panels, to be packed into smaller launch vehicles. This technology will make it possible for very large satellite dishes to be compacted for launch and then deployed in space. Larger dishes would mean more bandwidth for better communication, which is a plus since current technology does not provide enough bandwidth to meet the demand for missions to Mars. CRG is developing a self-deploying strut structure based on Veritex technology to help meet that demand for deployable structures in space.

Key benefits of shape memory composites:

    • Self-deploying
    • Self-supporting
    • No mechanical actuators required
    • Compact storage with simple deployment

Composite structures with shape memory technology are developed to reshape and reconfigure, meeting the demands of space as well as creating unlimited potential applications on Earth.