A paper published in Composites Part B: Engineering describes the development of a lightweight and compact deployable space boom using shape-changing, composite lattices. The boom can deploy up to 20 times its stowed size while weighing only 400 grams. The new lightweight material is significant to the development of space applications because it currently costs approximately $20,000 for every kilogram sent into space.
This research could facilitate micro satellites to perform more power demanding experiments and possibly allow them to perform interplanetary missions.
The project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.
Read the full paper here: Morphing lattice boom for space applications