There is a need for large mirrors that can be launched to various bodies in the solar system in a packed form and unfolded to provide the required dimensions. The solution to the need for foldable panels that can be made as mirrors or other structures including antennas, etc. has been conceived using an origami configuration that is folded in two dimensions. The foldable panel configuration, if made as a mirror, allows supporting rover operation in craters and caves that are shadowed and inaccessible to direct sunlight. The benefits of its use include providing light to the solar cells of the rover, providing a heating source using sunlight, and illuminating the area of operation where the rover is located.

The first two images show vertical expansion of the panel via the scrolling and origami folding process; the last two images show horizontal expansion of the panel.
Launching large panels such as mirrors, solar cell panels, and antennas is not practical unless they are packed in a folded form and then unfolded. The features included in the packing and unpacking of the disclosed panel configuration have been the use of folding, scrolling, and telescopic movement. A combination of scrolling in one dimension and origami folding in the other allowed the minimization of packaged volume. A folded film is scrolled and is supported by two telescopic vertical rods that keep the panel in a minimum packaging volume. The two rods are held by a horizontal telescopic rod that allows unscrolling the panel by spacing them apart from each other. The two telescopic rods are extended, and thus unfold the panel to reach the full size.

The origami concept enables folding mirrors that can be stowed in compact configuration and, when needed, to expand into a full-size mirror.

This work was done by Yoseph Bar-Cohen and Mircea Badescu of Caltech, and Bahador Behdad and Renato Valz-Brenta for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-49472

Topics:
Antennas Electronic equipment Exteriors Imaging and visualization Logistics Materials handling Mechanical Components Mirrors Optics Packaging Sun and solar Telescopes
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Effective Packing of Large Panels via Scrolling and Origami Folding

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NASA Tech Briefs Magazine

This article first appeared in the December, 2015 issue of NASA Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 39 No. 12).

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Overview

The document titled "Effective Packing of Large Panels via Scrolling and Origami Folding" (NPO-49472) from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) discusses innovative methods for packing large panels, such as mirrors and solar cell arrays, for space missions. The primary challenge addressed is the need to transport large structures in a compact form to facilitate their deployment in space, particularly for in-situ exploration missions on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars.

The document outlines the problem of launching large panels, which require significant volume and can be impractical to transport without effective packing solutions. It highlights the necessity for foldable structures that can be stowed efficiently and then unfolded to their full size once in space. This is particularly relevant for operations in shadowed areas, such as craters and caves, where sunlight is limited, and solar power is essential for rover operations.

The proposed solution involves a novel two-dimensional folding mechanism based on origami design principles. This method allows for the creation of foldable panels that can be compactly stored and easily expanded into full-size mirrors or other structures when needed. The benefits of this approach include providing light to solar cells, generating heat from sunlight, and illuminating the operational area of rovers in challenging environments.

The document also emphasizes the importance of using lightweight materials and structures to minimize mass during transport. The innovative folding technique not only addresses the spatial constraints of launching large panels but also enhances the functionality of these structures in harsh extraterrestrial conditions.

Figures included in the document illustrate the various configurations and mechanisms involved in the folding and unfolding processes, showcasing the versatility of the designs. The research was conducted under the sponsorship of NASA, and the findings are intended to have broader technological, scientific, and commercial applications beyond aerospace.

In summary, this document presents a significant advancement in the design and deployment of large panels for space exploration, utilizing origami-inspired techniques to overcome the challenges of packing and expanding these structures in space.