I would say that the possibility exists. If my transformation wave theory holds this object should also affect the free energies in its surrounding space and channel it in the direction of transformation. I really wish I could investigate my theory further, but there are no research programs into this, so I guess I'll never know if its true.

If we consider a shape memory material working in space, there are  several parameters that could change drastically with respect the ground surface at Earth: Gravity, gas atmosphere, vacuum and temperature.

In open space, gravity could be tarher different than in Earth and even zero, but this will not have any influence on the shape memory material (SMM). However it will have influence on the apparent weight of the components of any mechanical device and consequently the forces to be done by the SMM must be re-designed.

Gas atmosphere could be very important on the planets surface, but we may assume that in open space basically we have ultra-high vacuum. This is not too much important for same memory alloys (SMA), which have been already tested under ultra-high vacuum (see for instance one of my recent papers), because they will not evaporate at the working temperatures. However this aspect will be very important in the case of shape memory polimers, which contain elements susceptible of evaporating under high vaccum and the material will be destroyed.

Temperature is a critical factor in open space, because due to the strong radiation of the stars the temperature undergoesrapid changes whe moving from shadow areas to sunny areas. Several hundred degrees difference could be induced in mechanical components and then this changes can modify the behaviour of the SMA. High-temperature SMA are required in many cases, and a precise knowledge of the environment temprature along the space trip is required. We know that the SMA are not stable above certain temperature and they will be destroyed (their properties will be lost) under so high temperature (tipically between 250º to 400º C).

Consequently the use of shape memory effect or SMA in open space, requires a careful design and analysis of the material to be used, and the expected environment for the working conditions.

This comment is just a short approach to the original question. I hope that it could be useful.

Thank you so much for your interesting opinions!

Dear Kristina: your point of view is so nice. I must tell you: please don't think you cannot try to prove your theory. As doctor San Juan says, here on Earth we can replicate space conditions. Please tell us more about this!

Dear José, let me answer each point:

Gravity

Absolutely! SMA actuators won't work the same here on Earth. I guess that because of gravity near zero or zero, the forces to actuate these components would be weaker?

Gas atmosphere and vacuum

Ok, I didn't think about evaporation. So, SMA won't evaporate because of the stronger metallic bonds, right? interesting! and I must say I know about your work with SMA in ultra-high vacuum. As I told Kristina, we can replicate space conditions, at least in terms of vacuum and temperature.

Is it possible to replicate these adding also cosmic radiation as one more boundary condition? (I hope you don't tell me you've already studied this because I have not seen it! hehe)

Temperature

Of course! I remember an astronaut talking on a video about the temperture difference between his sunny side of his space suit and the dark one. He said he could even feel hot his back (side to the sun) while his half front was several degrees down.

So, temperature is so important in space applications. I know some people have already developed these HTSMA ;)

Thank you both for these answers. Dr. José, I must say I was really asking about the chance of these SM effects could occur naturally in space but let me tell you, this is just curiosity and your answer is better because I can use this knowledge here on Earth! hehehehe

Best regards

@ Leopold Summerer: I thought about using SMA as actuators in outer space, but the cycles are often too long and the temperature differences too extreme for most actuating needs and available materials. But what could work is some sort of protective shield which closes around the vehicle to protect it during hibernation at night (or whatever you call the dark phases) and when the sun heats the vehicle the SMA-actuators open the shield up to allow the sun to shine on solar panels and for the vehicle to again move unobstructed. During the closing and opening of the shield, accumulated dust could also be swept of the surfaces. It's definitely something worth looking into. Just a thought.

I think we can deal with extreme temperature differences.

We can use simple passive ways to control our SMA actuator temperature. You can get it inside a small thermal isolated envolope. This envolope can be transparent to get the heat of sunshine or translucent to diminish it. It can be painted white in the sunny side or black in the dark side. Maybe we can also use mirrors, to heat the SMA in the dark side, etc.

I mean, outer space conditions are extreme but you can make a kind of micro-space suit for the SMA actuators, just to keep them thermally isolated, so that it can work on a better range of temperatures.

About locomotion with SMA in space...do you mean for travelling, Leopold? without fuel? similar to a solar sail? that sounds nice! the cool thing about SMA is that you only need a temperature difference, right? so in space, using the sunny and dark side of the actuated object to power these tasks, seems to me a very good way. What kind of tasks do you refer? Can you give an example?

there are two intersting points first the the enviromnet in space (Gravity,Temperature,Vacum) it had been disscucssed , the other (the Shape Memory Material it self ) he tselection of material which in my humble opinoin must by composite  becouse there is a very very limited choice of alloys a I was asked that question by a prof. in the oral comprehensive exam  he argued that if a cretain traetment  to SMA  it can operate in space (NiTi) as I recall I answered if that Possiable it Must be  inside the space ship or station but outside in outerspace it must be composiote materials  the possess a better  propeerties .