A UKstartuphas unveiled a unique system for bringing spacecraft back to Earth.
The company, namedSpace Forge, developed the tech to provide a low-cost and sustainable way of reusing satellites.
These supermaterials have transformative potential for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and alloys.
Unfortunately, returning them to Earth is currently painfully complex and costly.
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Its also reusable, unlike conventional ablative heatshields, which must bereplaced after every flight.
To fit inside a launcher vehicle, Pridwen folds into a compact size.
To protect its cargo on the return journey, the origamic-style heatshield expands.
Joshua Western, the cofounder of Space Forge, describes the system as Mary Poppins but fromspace.
In a manner reminiscent of a shuttlecock, Pridwen can also decelerate the drop to Earths surface.
Then Fielder comes into play.
The company is planning a launch later this year to further tests the re-entry system.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
