Resetable SMA Hold Down and Release Actuator for General Use in Satellite Systems (REACT)

The main objectives of the project were to develop and qualify a hold down and release actuator for space applications with higher temperature capability. The products available in the market are limited in their operating temperatures, avoiding their use in missions where this requirement is more restrictive.

Arquimea suggests a new HDRA (REACT) base on a novel SMA material (SMARQ) with increased temperature performance capabilities able to overcome the current temperature limitations of similar devices. REACT can work in the range of temperatures of -60ºC to 120ºC with a minimum preload of 100N. Other important advantages of the proposed technology are its lightweight, high force to weight ratio and low volume, which makes it especially attractive in space applications. The technical work done during the GSPT activity can be divided in two main blocks: design and analysis of the mechanism as well as qualification of built models in space like environment. The device has performed more than 50 cycles of actuations and more than 2 months without lose preload, which demonstrate the mechanism reliability. The results of the qualification test campaign have demonstrated the capabilities of the proposed device to be used as space mechanisms