How ancient paper-folding techniques are helping NASA engineers dream much bigger in space
Engineers are constrained by the limited space inside rocket nosecones, a challenge known as the tyranny of the fairing. This talk explores how the centuries-old art of origami is being adapted to design spacecraft that can expand once they reach orbit, overcoming traditional size limitations.
The tyranny of the fairing dictates that any payload must fit within the protective nosecone of a rocket. To bypass this, NASA technologists and creative specialists are applying origami principles to spacecraft design. By using folding techniques, engineers can pack large structures into small volumes for launch, allowing them to deploy significantly larger instruments or components once in space.
This approach, discussed by a team from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on January 14, 2021, represents a shift in engineering strategy. By looking to traditional paper-folding, the team aims to improve how we transport and assemble complex technology in orbit.
