 
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
technology
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.
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