I don't think a shape memory alloy would provide a shock. I suspect they are solenoids(vs explosive bolts) used to detach the vehicle from it's mounting plate on the rocket. and the engineers as they went down the list trying increasingly wild ideas to get the antenna to deploy reached "fire the release solenoids, and hope it shakes the antenna pin in the correct way".

It did, so slow clap for the engineers for saving a very expensive science experiment remotely from billions of miles away. well done.

ESA going for the old reliable percussive maintenance procedure.

I'm envisioning a large cartoonish sledge with the letters ACME stamped on it

"Slow clap" likely doesn't have the connotation you want...

The French fans of American MMA express their appreciation with golf or tennis claps. A contrast in technique and style between American and French MMA is seen in the Jon Jones vs Cyril Gane heavy weight fight.

Back on topic, the release mechanism jams every now and again across the probes sent to deep space. Hope the engineers are given the window of opportunity to solve this category of problem once and for all by business-ops. The release of the JWST antenna while at the moment of sparkly reflections in the sunshine looked real strong.

There is that charming eighties movie 'slow clap' that builds to a crescendo of appreciation and/or support.

The shock typically comes from the release of the preload, not from the NEA itself.

Or it could be a PCM pin-puller system: basically paraffin is heated and while it liquifies, it will slightly expand and push a pin that will trigger the release.