Space Forge Inc. has successfully trialed the deployment of its novel origami-based heat shield, Pridwen, on a zero gravity flight. ZeroG facilitated the flight with members of the Space Forge team entering microgravity to test the heat shield’s deployment capabilities.
Named after the legendary shield of King Arthur, Pridwen will ensure safe atmospheric re-entry and satellite recovery. Its high temperature material combats heat flux through radiation, rather than the ablation technique of standard heat shields. Furthermore, its shuttlecock-style shield serves as a parachute to enable a safe landing for descending satellites.
