This Spanish company has designed an innovative solution that will put an end to the use of explosive charges used to deploy satellites in orbit after they have been launched into space.

This system, called Smarq, is based on a revolutionary technology that uses smart materials in order to anchor equipment on a spaceship during launch, but which can later be activated to free devices once the ship is in orbit. Today when a satellite is launched into space in order, for example, to deploy solar panels, the components onboard the spaceship are held in place using a system that is later released with small-scale explosive charges. Once this process is completed the satellite is set free and deployed.

The two main advantages of Arquimea’s technology versus what is currently in use is that it can be tested while still on Earth, allowing technicians to carry out as many pre-launch dry runs as are necessary. Such tests do not create vibrations in contrast to explosive charges. In addition, the head of the project points out the importance of smart technology in this system, which uses shape-memory alloys that contract when heated.

The company has been working on this project for eight years. The new technology will be tested in orbit two years from now, as part of a series of experiments to be carried out aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Until then, Arquimea’s technicians will test the device under conditions of microgravity onboard parabolic flights.

The company was a spinoff from Madrid’s Universidad Carlos III in 2005. Its goal near term is to supply the firm’s technology—which is designed for use in space—to the world’s satellite manufacturers. However, management is also aware that this same technology could be valuable in other sectors such as hospitals or automobile manufacturing. Alquimea’s other projects include making microchips, sensors and a number of cutting edge technologies.

Testing of Smarq aboard the International Space Station will represent the first inflight demonstration of this technology. This mission in space is the final requirement to get Smarq technology out of the laboratory and into use by the world’s major satellite manufacturers.