Title
REACT (REsettable Hold-Down and Release ACTuator)
Summary
The project is oriented to permit the unrestricted access of Europe to the technology of high reliable non-explosive actuators based on SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) technology. The unrestricted access to low shock non-explosive actuators, for space applications, has been identified as an urgent action by the European Commission, the European Space Agency and the European Defence Agency.
The REACT device is a new Hold Down and Release Actuator (HDRA) for space applications that have been developed as an improved alternative to currently available devices. Specifically, the proposed project is focused on develop low shock resettable HDRA and qualify them integrated in real final user space applications that require this release devices, such as big structures deployment, space science payload subsystems deployment, launchers subsystems deployment and small satellites subsystems deployment. The TRL (Technology Readiness Level), expected to be obtained once the project concluded, shall be 8.
In order to obtain such a performance REACT project contemplates to develop new SMA material manufacturing techniques and new SMA alloys that will fit the specific requirements of the final users also involved in the project. In addition, research and improve the actuator tribology will be a technical objective to be address during the project development.
Finally it is addressed a complete qualification campaign in order to upgrade to TRL8 the REACT models:
• In ground: Performing qualifying tests to the devices alone and also integrated within the final users subsystems.
• In-Orbit: Testing the operation of two standard REACT devices in an external Platform in the International Space Station (ISS) prepared for new technologies testing in flight.
Objective
The objective of the REACT project is to develop and qualify to TRL 8 low shock Resettable Hold Down and Release Actuators in real space applications in four different areas: big structures deployment, space science, launchers and small satellites.
