Phys.org August 9, 2018
Researchers in the UK have developed a flexible, foldable heat shield that is shaped like a skirt and spins like a sycamore seed. The material is lightweight strong and has high temperature tolerance. The shield is stitched along a special pattern that allows it to spin up during flight, inducing centrifugal force. Planets with atmospheres, such as Earth and Mars, allow spacecraft to utilize aerodynamic drag to slow down and the prototype’s design uses this to enable atmospheric entry. The prototype is lightweight and flexible enough for use on smaller satellites… read more.
Credit: University of Manchester