Concept design of novel bio-inspired distributed actuators for space applications

Space technology is often considered very conservative, since reliability and robustness are necessarily its main drivers. However, novel concepts coming from research activities are the lymph for the development of successful and competitive new space system solutions. The aim of this paper is to present new concepts and ideas inspired by natural systems with distributed actuators embedded in their structure for possible uses in space operations. Preliminary technical solutions for long-term future implementations are proposed and analyzed in order to assess both feasibility and performance of such novel concepts. Peristaltic movement obtained by using dielectric electroactive polymer actuators is proposed as one of the most promising solutions that is worth of future investigations. Preliminary experimental tests and numerical simulations on single actuation units are also presented and discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.