Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Featuring Subject Matter Expert: Othmane Benafan
NASA Glenn's innovation, flown in a successful space mission, uses SMA components in actuators and hinging elements to improve retention, release, and deployment of crucial structures, such as solar arrays. Compared to standard devices, the SMA-based mechanisms are much smaller and lighter, do not produce debris, and require minimal power to operate, meeting the rigorous power budget for CubeSats. These SMA-based components are a key breakthrough for CubeSats and other small satellites, where their small size and weight, reusability, and reliability are mission critical.
For more information on this technology, please visit: technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-135
Credit: NASA
#Satellites #CubeSats #NASA
Featuring Subject Matter Expert: Othmane Benafan
NASA Glenn's innovation, flown in a successful space mission, uses SMA components in actuators and hinging elements to improve retention, release, and deployment of crucial structures, such as solar arrays. Compared to standard devices, the SMA-based mechanisms are much smaller and lighter, do not produce debris, and require minimal power to operate, meeting the rigorous power budget for CubeSats. These SMA-based components are a key breakthrough for CubeSats and other small satellites, where their small size and weight, reusability, and reliability are mission critical.
For more information on this technology, please visit: technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-135
Credit: NASA
#Satellites #CubeSats #NASA
