A hierarchical tensegrity structure for morphing

We are now in an exciting period of spaceflight, with both private and national industries committing to an increasing number of highly ambitious missions. Driving this advancement has been significant technological developments aimed at increasing mission capabilities while reducing costs. We can now look at enabling even more ambitious missions through combining the latest morphing technologies with the highly efficient structural properties of tensegrity. Tensegrity structures are known as a lightweight and highly optimized load bearing structural solution. Incorporating the substantial shape changing capabilities achievable using composites materials, a new range of highly multifunctional and hierarchical structures are possible. These structures remain light weight and strong, but can be deployable, adaptable, as well as tuneable. This work aims to realise such structures by using morphing helices as shape changing tensegrity elements. The morphing helix uses prestressed composite materials to create a variable twist and length component.