Folding spacecraft design could be enhanced with origami patterns

Source: interestingengineering
Author: @IntEngineering
Published: 8/21/2025
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Read original articleResearchers at Brigham Young University have developed a new class of origami-inspired structures called bloom patterns, designed to fold flat and unfold like flower petals. These radially expansive, flat-foldable patterns offer a compact and reliable way to deploy large structures in space, such as antennas, telescopes, solar arrays, and optical devices. The study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A, introduces a standardized mathematical framework for creating these crease patterns and demonstrates their consistent and reliable unfolding—critical for space missions where a single misfold could cause failure.
Beyond space applications, bloom patterns show promise for terrestrial uses including portable shelters, pop-up architecture, and expandable robotics. Their rotational symmetry and circular shape provide enhanced structural stability compared to other fold patterns. The research team also created physical prototypes using materials like 3D printed plastics and cardboard, and developed a computer program to generate crease patterns for specific bloom designs such as the Yoshimura pattern. This work lays the foundation for further exploration of the mechanical
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materialsorigami-designspacecraft-technologydeployable-structuressolar-arraysantennas3D-printed-plastics