US Air Force opened Deployable Structures Laboratory (DeSel) on Oct 29, 2020, as part of their efforts of a lab focused on developing materials for new deployable space structures. The lab includes specialized equipment and a climate-controlled, vibration-isolated laboratory capable of testing spacecraft structures up to 20-by-15 meters. “AFRL has led the development of high strain composites for deployed spacecraft structures, and we are excited to see the new mission capabilities that are being enabled,” Spacecraft Technologies Division chief Mark Roverse said.

Airman 1st Class Ireland Summers/U.S. Air Force