Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, is not just about creating beautiful paper cranes or intricate designs. It has found surprising applications in modern technology, including car airbags, medical stents, and even space exploration. In space, where we aim to build large structures from thin materials, origami helps us fit these structures into rockets for launch.
Many space missions have used origami principles to solve complex problems. For example, the International Space Station (ISS) uses a Z-folding pattern for its solar array wings. Similarly, the Mars Phoenix lander used a fan-folded solar array called UltraFlex. Since the largest rockets are about 5 meters in diameter, we need clever folding techniques to launch large structures that can unfold in space. Origami provides the mathematical foundation for folding large, thin sheets efficiently.
One exciting origami project at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the Starshade. This device acts as a star blocker, helping astronomers capture images of exoplanets, which are planets outside our solar system. Stars are incredibly bright, making it difficult to see the planets orbiting them. Currently, astronomers use the transit method, which detects exoplanets indirectly by observing the shadows they cast. However, for Earth-sized planets orbiting sun-like stars, direct imaging is challenging due to the stars’ brightness.
The Starshade is designed to block starlight, allowing telescopes to observe faint planets nearby. It’s about the size of a baseball diamond, so it must be folded compactly for launch. Once in space, it unfolds to its full size, thanks to origami techniques. Scientists have developed specific fold patterns for the Starshade’s optical shield, using mathematical models to determine the necessary creases on a flat sheet to achieve the desired folding.
The unfolding of the Starshade is a marvel of engineering. Although the design may seem simple, its execution is complex. The Starshade must unfold with millimeter precision. Once deployed, thrusters move it into position between the star and the space telescope. With the star’s light blocked, the telescope can capture detailed images of the planet, helping scientists assess conditions for life.
Origami has been practiced on Earth for centuries, and its principles continue to inspire scientists in packaging large space structures efficiently. From solar sails that harness sunlight for propulsion to sunshades for space telescopes like Gaia and the James Webb Space Telescope, origami concepts are being applied to spacecraft design. As we explore the vastness of space, thinking big also means thinking small and smart.
For more fascinating science documentaries, explore more content and stay tuned for exciting discoveries in space exploration!
Using paper and instructions for a simple Z-fold pattern, create your own model of a solar array similar to those used on the International Space Station. This activity will help you understand how origami principles are applied to fold large structures into compact forms for space missions.
Work in groups to design a small-scale model of the Starshade using paper and basic folding techniques. Discuss how the folds help the Starshade unfold in space and the importance of precision in its deployment.
Participate in a workshop where you explore the mathematical concepts behind origami. Learn about angles, symmetry, and geometric shapes, and how these are crucial in designing foldable structures for space exploration.
Research other applications of origami in technology, such as in medical devices or automotive safety. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting how origami principles solve real-world problems.
Using a limited set of materials, challenge yourself to design and build a model spacecraft that can be folded and unfolded. Consider the constraints faced by engineers, such as size and weight, and present your design to the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Origami is the ancient art of Japanese paper folding. For years, it has been used to create stunning works of art. However, it has also been applied in surprising ways, such as in car airbags, stents, and even space exploration. In space, we aim for large structures that can be made from thin materials, and origami allows us to fit these structures into rockets.
Many space projects have utilized the folding principles of origami. For instance, the solar array wings on the International Space Station (ISS) use a Z-folding pattern, and the Mars Phoenix lander employed a fan-folded solar array known as UltraFlex. Given that the largest rockets currently available are about 5 meters in diameter, we need to devise a method for folding large structures so they can be launched in a rocket and then unfold in space. Origami provides the underlying mathematics for how large, thin sheets can be folded.
One origami project currently in development at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the Starshade, which functions as a star blocker. Astronomers face challenges when trying to capture images of exoplanets due to the overwhelming brightness of the stars they orbit. Currently, they detect exoplanets indirectly using a shadow technique called the transit method. For Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting sun-like stars, detailed imaging is difficult because the stars are much brighter. The Starshade helps block this bright light, allowing astronomers to learn more about these distant planets and search for biosignatures indicative of life.
The Starshade is a large external occulter designed to suppress starlight, enabling the observation of faint planets nearby. However, because the Starshade is roughly the size of a baseball diamond, we need to find a way to fold this large structure into a compact form for launch. Once in space, it can unfold itself, which is where origami comes into play. We have developed candidate fold patterns for the inner part of the Starshade, known as the optical shield. By mathematically defining how this sheet of paper is folded and creating an isometric map, we can determine the necessary creases on a flat piece of paper to achieve the desired folding.
The unfolding process is quite remarkable in its simplicity. Although the design of this giant space flower may seem straightforward, its implementation is complex. The Starshade must unfold with millimeter accuracy. Once deployed, thrusters will maneuver the craft through space, positioning the Starshade between the star and the space telescope. With the star now obscured, the telescope can capture detailed images of the planet to assess conditions for life.
Origami has been practiced on Earth for many years, and scientists will continue to draw inspiration from it to package large space structures more efficiently. From solar sails that utilize sunlight for propulsion to sunshades for space telescopes like Gaia and the James Webb Space Telescope, which launched in 2021, we can apply origami concepts to spacecraft structures. As we look to the future of space exploration, thinking big also requires us to think small.
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This version maintains the original content’s essence while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Origami – The Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures, which can be applied to solve problems in mathematics and engineering. – Engineers use origami principles to design compact structures that can expand in space.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse that exists beyond Earth and its atmosphere, where celestial bodies are located. – Scientists study the properties of space to understand the movement of planets and stars.
Folding – The process of bending something over on itself so that one part of it covers another, often used in mathematics to explore geometric properties. – Folding a piece of paper can help students visualize and solve complex geometric problems.
Structures – Arrangements or organizations of parts to form a whole, often studied in physics and engineering to understand stability and strength. – The study of different structures helps engineers design buildings that can withstand earthquakes.
Rockets – Vehicles or devices propelled by the expulsion of gases, used to transport payloads into space. – Rockets are essential for launching satellites and exploring other planets.
Solar – Relating to or determined by the sun, often used in physics to describe energy harnessed from sunlight. – Solar panels convert solar energy into electricity to power homes and devices.
Telescopes – Instruments that magnify distant objects, allowing astronomers to observe celestial bodies in space. – Telescopes have helped scientists discover new planets and galaxies far beyond our solar system.
Planets – Celestial bodies orbiting a star, such as the Earth orbiting the Sun, studied in astronomy and physics. – The study of planets helps scientists understand the conditions necessary for life.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. – Engineering projects often require a deep understanding of physics and mathematics to ensure safety and functionality.
Mathematics – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, used as a tool in physics and engineering to solve problems. – Mathematics is essential for calculating the trajectories of rockets and the orbits of planets.
