Juan M. Fernandez
Papers
2
Total Citations
10
H-Index
2
About
Juan M. Fernandez is a pioneering aerospace structures researcher at NASA Langley Research Center, whose work is shaping the future of space exploration through advanced deployable composite technologies. His primary research areas include ultra-lightweight deployable structures, shape memory composites, and in-space assembly architectures for lunar and orbital infrastructure. Fernandez’s most notable contribution is the design and development of a stable, lightweight, tall, and self-deploying lunar tower—a concept that leverages deployable composite booms with proven spaceflight heritage to enable vertical structures on the Moon. This work, published in 2023 and garnering 8 citations, represents a critical step toward sustainable lunar outposts. More recently, in 2025, he introduced a novel segmented solid surface reflector antenna architecture, concentrically stacked with tubular shape memory composite hinges. This design, scalable to over 10 meters, allows compact sub-reflectors to be robotically assembled in space into larger hexagonal arrays. With a focus on simplicity, low mass, and high deployment reliability, Fernandez’s innovations are directly enabling next-generation communication systems and surface infrastructure for NASA’s Artemis program and beyond.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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