PI Advanced Materials (CEO Keumsoo Song, 178920)—the world’s No.1 polyimide (PI) materials company and a subsidiary of Arkema Group (ISIN: FR0010313833)— today announced that a satellite equipped with a rollable solar array utilizing Zenimid™ polyimide film was successfully deployed during the 4th mission of Korea's Nuri (KSLV-II, Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II).
During this satellite launch mission, Zenimid™ polyimide film served as the substrate material for the rollable solar array developed by Flexell Space (CEO Taehun Ahn) and integrated into the satellite. This marks the first application of Zenimid™ in Korea's satellite program, representing a significant milestone in validating the material's readiness for real-world space environments. The solar array was mounted on INHARoSAT, a satellite developed by Inha University (President Myungwoo Cho), and launched aboard Nuri (KSLV-II) on its fourth mission.
Zenimid™ polyimide film is engineered to deliver exceptional mechanical stability, thermal integrity, and radiation resistance under extreme space conditions, including high vacuum and severe temperature fluctuations. Once INHARoSAT reaches stable orbit, in-orbit evaluations of the solar array’s power output and operational reliability could further confirm the film’s suitability for space-grade applications.
In October, PI Advanced Materials signed an MOU with Flexell Space to jointly develop and commercialize polyimide films for next-generation satellite solar arrays, reinforcing collaboration in advancing space-qualified PI materials.
Dongyoon Shin, CTO of PI Advanced Materials, commented, “The application of Zenimid™ in Nuri’s fourth launch marks an important milestone in demonstrating the space-application potential of domestically developed polyimide materials. We will continue to enhance the reliability and technological competitiveness of Korea’s advanced materials across the global space industry.”