NASA Langley Research center is developing key structures and mechanisms technologies for micron - accuracy , in - space deployment of future space instruments . Achieving micron - accuracy deployment requires significant advancements in deployment mechanism design such as the revolute joint presented herein . The joint presented herein exhibits a load - cycling response that is essentially linear with less than two percent hysteresis , and the joint rotates with less than one in.-oz . of resistance . A prototype reflector metering truss incorporating the joint exhibits only a few microns of kinematic error under repeated deployment and impulse loading . No other mechanically deployable structure found in literature has been demonstrated to be this kinematically accurate .