NASA is using origami to build a giant star blocker, in hopes of imaging distant worlds. What Looks Good on Paper May Look Good In Spac.Origami, the Japanese tradition of paper-folding, has inspired a number of unique spacecraft designs here.
source/image: Seeker
It’s little wonder that it fascinates NASA engineers: origami can seem deceptively simple, hiding complex math within its creases.Besides aesthetic beauty, it addresses a persistent problem faced by JPL engineers: how do you pack the greatest amount of spacecraft into the smallest volume possible? via/read more: jpl.nasa
With most origami, the magic comes from the folding,You can’t design purely from geometry. You need to know the qualities of the material to understand how it will fold.
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We could see space origami very soon. CubeSats are one promising application: these miniaturized satellites are the size of a briefcase, and NASA will launch several key missions using these modular spacecraft in coming years.Because they require so little space, mass and cost, they’re easier to launch.
