Enhancing space satellite performance by integrating smart sensors and actuators for sensing and shape morphing

Satellite mechanical performance is to be further enhanced e.g. by active launch vibration attenuation, and even more so by in-orbit micro-vibration and shape control and possibly also significant shape morphing. This puts stringent requirements on the actuators and their materials, such as high resolution of possibly large strokes, or a very broad operational temperature range going down to -150°C or even lower. The discussion also shows the need to consider the host material and structure together with the actuator as a highly interacting system. This holds to a considerable extent also for integrated fiber optic sensors used for strain and temperature monitoring.