MURPHY — Re-entry Triggered Dismantling Fastener
Nimesis Technology
SMA breakable fastener for spacecraft dismantling triggered by atmospheric re-entry heating — enables controlled structural disintegration at a pre-set altitude, TRL 7.
Technical specifications
- Technology
- Shape memory alloy (SMA) fastener with re-entry thermal activation
- TRL
- 7
- Activation trigger
- Atmospheric re-entry heating (no electrical command required)
- Configurable
- Activation temperature tunable to target re-entry altitude
- Optional sensor
- Integrated temperature sensor for re-entry data logging
- Platforms
- Satellites, launchers
- Purpose
- End-of-life spacecraft dismantling / controlled demise
About
MURPHY is Nimesis Technology’s shape memory alloy breakable fastener specifically designed for spacecraft dismantling triggered by atmospheric re-entry. Functionally similar to TRIGGY but activated by the heat generated during re-entry rather than electrical command, MURPHY allows controlled structural disintegration of a spacecraft at a predetermined altitude without requiring battery power or electronic activation. By tuning the activation temperature to the expected re-entry thermal profile at the desired altitude, MURPHY ensures reliable, autonomous operation even in the absence of power. It can optionally be equipped with a temperature sensor to log actual temperature data during re-entry, providing valuable engineering data for future missions. MURPHY supports sustainability and end-of-life compliance by facilitating the breakup of spacecraft structures to ensure complete demise before ground impact. It has achieved TRL 7 with high-temperature performance qualification.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
