Pyrotechnic actuated valves are currently used extensively in satellite chemical propulsion systems. These valves serve as isolation valves. They are singleuse, of very high reliability, and used to initiate a propulsion system at the start of its propulsion mission or to “safe” it at the end of its mission life. A new type of valve is currently in its initial stages of development which aims to replace the pyro with a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator. This valve would give the same isolation performance, would work at high temperature up to 100°C, could be much slower limiting mechanical shocks, and be interchangeable with pyro-valves making substitution simple. This paper outlines the scope of this work.
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