LARA — SMA Release Nut for Launch Vehicle Stage Separation
Nimesis Technology
High-load SMA hold-and-release nut for mini/micro launcher stage and cap separation — handles up to 45 kN structural load, actuates in <100 ms, synchronized across multiple units to within 30 ms. TRL 4.
Technical specifications
- Technology
- Shape memory alloy (SMA) release nut
- TRL
- 4
- Maximum load
- 45 kN
- Actuation time
- < 100 ms
- Multi-unit synchronization
- < 30 ms dispersion
- Temperature range
- -120°C to +70°C
- Shock emissions
- 100 Hz/50g; 1,000 Hz/300g; 10,000 Hz/1,000g
- Ground cycles
- Up to 10 resettable cycles
- Applications
- Mini/micro launcher stage and cap separation
About
LARA is a release nut actuator co-developed by Nimesis Technology and COMAT, targeting stage separation and cap separation applications on mini and micro launch vehicles. It can handle structural loads up to 45 kN and actuates in under 100 milliseconds, with multiple units synchronizing within 30 ms to enable simultaneous multi-point releases essential for clean stage separation events. The device operates across -120°C to +70°C, is resettable in situ for up to 10 ground cycles without pyrotechnics, and provides characterized shock emissions (100 Hz/50g, 1,000 Hz/300g, 10,000 Hz/1,000g) for system-level shock budget analysis. At TRL 4, LARA is validated at component level in a laboratory environment.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
