Space Forge, a Cardiff-based company, is set to test its groundbreaking heat shield, known as Pridwen, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission later this year, Space.com reports.

The ingenious-looking space shield, supported by the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to revolutionize spacecraft reentry by utilizing origami-inspired folding techniques.

Pridwen, the Origami in the Sky

Pridwen, developed over more than four years, is constructed from a high-temperature alloy fabric that can fold and unfold like origami.

The shield's primary function is to protect spacecraft during their intense reentry through Earth's atmosphere, where temperatures can reach several thousand degrees Celsius.

One of the key advantages of Pridwen is its ability to occupy minimal space when not in use. By using the folding technique inspired by origami, the shield can be neatly stored and deployed when needed.

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Upon deployment, Pridwen expands its size, creating a large surface area that facilitates the even distribution and radiation of heat away from the spacecraft without damaging the shield's fabric.

Furthermore, the expanded size of the shield generates sufficient air drag, which slows down the descent of the spacecraft, rendering traditional parachutes unnecessary during landing. This feature makes Pridwen not only more practical but also more efficient than conventional ablative heat shields.

How the Shield Will be Launched

Space Forge's ForgeStar-1A mission will provide the first opportunity to test the Pridwen heat shield. It will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking an important milestone for both the company and the development of advanced heat shield technologies.

Space Forge envisions Pridwen as a stepping-stone into the space manufacturing industry.

"Supermaterials made in space will be able to save industries on Earth enormous amounts of energy, limiting their CO2 emissions in a way their terrestrial counterparts can never match," Andrew Bacon, CTO and co-founder of Space Forge, said in a statement.

"Pridwen and Fielder are key parts of our plan to develop fully reusable manufacturing satellites that can kick start a new industrial revolution," he adds.

By manufacturing high-value goods in zero-gravity environments and routinely returning them to Earth, the company aims to revolutionize manufacturing processes and open up new possibilities for various industries, including pharmaceuticals, superconductors, and superalloys.

A Promising Future for Spaceflight

The Pridwen project has received extensive support from the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency's General Support Technology Programme.

Throughout its development, the shield has undergone rigorous testing, including drop tests and rehearsals for capturing the probe with a hover net during its fall back to Earth.

With its origami-inspired design and high-temperature alloy fabric, Pridwen represents a significant leap forward in heat shield technology.

The successful deployment and utilization of this innovative shield on the ForgeStar-1A mission could pave the way for safer and more efficient spacecraft reentry while also opening up exciting possibilities for in-orbit manufacturing and the future of space exploration.

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