DEFINITION:

It includes:

• Non-explosive Release Technologies: Non-pyrotechnic technologies used to release a force or torque (e.g. mechanical fuse, shape memory alloy, electromagnetic, paraffin).
• Pyrotechnic Technologies: Including development and testing of new materials, ignition methods, actuation and miniaturisation.

(Source: ESA TD 15B and H)

SUBDOMAINS:

Non-explosive Release Technologies

Pyrotechnic Technologies, covering:

1. • Explosive Composition Technologies: Covers high-temperature survival and ageing characteristics; shock reduction technologies including testing.
   • Thermite Technologies: Cover applications of thermite heating to provide connection, disconnection, release, joining. Covers also provision of oxygen for life and other gases for pressure functions.
   • Reliability Determination for Non-Repeating Functions: Covers analysis techniques for valid estimates of reliability at required levels of confidence, definition and demonstration of test and analysis techniques for small samples.
   • Optical Ignition Technologies: Covers the development of components and systems for alternative to electrical ignition, with potential to increase safety by reducing sensitivity to electrical disturbance.
   • Advanced Electro-pyrotechnics: Covers the use of explosive foil initiators in order to reduce mass and cost and increase safety.
   • Development of New Devices for Future Exploration and Exploitation Missions: Covers connection and disconnection of structures and fluid circuits, deployment of shields and shelters, seismic and exploration functions, anchoring, penetrating, sealing; for manned, robotic and automatic operation