Author(s)

J. Matovic, A. Vujanic, C. Kment & K. Reichenberger

Abstract

The paper presents a novel concept for spacecraft temperature control. The concept is inspired by the elegant bindweed flower (Convolvulus sepium). The characteristic of this trumpet-shaped flower is that it closes at each sunset and reopens the following day. We emulated this behavior with an artificial flower. Our artificial flower consists from a peduncle which is in firm thermal and mechanical contact with the spacecraft radiator panel. Six ribs which are actually Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators are connected to the peduncle. The principal characteristic of SMAs is their ability to memorize their original configuration after they have been deformed. By heating SMAs above their "trained" transition temperature, they can reco

Keywords