Solar panels have been around for more than a century, and have been seen in almost all shapes and sizes, until now. The first-ever origami solar panel has been deployed thanks to a sealed alliance between NASA and the U.S. Air Force. From powering the Earth to powering space tech, solar power has application possibilities beyond our wildest imaginations.
Creating the first-ever origami solar panel
In 2025, modern life consists of widespread internet, satellite TV, GPS navigation, cell phones, and advanced military resources (thanks to the Space Age). Earth is surrounded by thousands of satellites, which provide us with the capability to liaise and process data. Anyone who is anyone has heard of NASA and the U.S. Air Force, responsible for space exploration and national security in air and space, respectively.
Unfortunately, NASA and the U.S. Air Force face struggles when it comes to conveying their required systems to space, as rockets have restricted carrying capacity. Besides being complicated, it is also very, very expensive.
Enter Brigham Young University, more commonly known as BYU, with its innovative origami solution. The Compliant Mechanisms Research Lab at BYU engineered a small, foldable design that would assist in launching NASA and U.S. Air Force systems to space by rocket. Once it has been launched, it enlarges 10 times its original size after being deployed in space.
Traveling from Utah all the way to space
The BYU team leaders, Professor Larry Howell and Professor Spencer Magleby invented a foldable antenna and telescope that deploys from space rockets and opens permanently thereafter. This antenna and telescope will then be utilized to improve satellite systems. After five years of research, the prototypes will soon be presented to NASA and the U.S. Air Force. Perhaps it can be used to power AI from space?
According to the BYU team, two origami designs are the inspiration behind the prototypes. These prototypes have a small design, automatic deployment, and long-term stability. The antenna has a thin, flexible membrane that is covered with solar panels that are 1cm in thickness. It is folded into a diameter of 9ft, and before deployment, a wire holds the folded antenna in place. During the flight, or when in the required orbital location, the wire is cut remotely. The antenna system automatically opens up to nearly 80 ft across and begins functioning.
Many hands make light work
It took many hands to make light work and many brilliant minds to create something for NASA and the US Air Force. The BYU team consisted of numerous professors, post-doctoral candidates, students, and ongoing collaboration with electrical engineers from Florida International University.
“I love the people that I work with. I think that this lab is really good at being collaborative and supportive of ideas. There’s no shame in saying something that sounds silly. I also really love that there are so many women engineers . . . everyone is supportive of family and things like that. It’s a great environment to learn in and feel like I would be prepared to go work in the real world.” – Katie Varela, research assistant
Potential benefits of origami solar panels
- Decreased probability of losing parts during deployment due to no moving parts
- Only one system will have to be launched, deployed, and monitored
- Expected power output of 150 kW, with goals to achieve 250 kW for satellites or space stations
- The design can also be utilized to make expandable nets to catch antennas, solar sails, or asteroids
The BYU team will continue to enhance the prototypes, and the final material might not even be the current fiberglass composite, Garolite. Who knows, the final design might even lead to inspiration for more unique solar panels for Earth.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of events affecting companies is purely informative and descriptive. Under no circumstances does it seek to promote an opinion or create a trend, nor can it be taken as investment advice or a recommendation of any kind.