PhD students Maximilien Berthet and Kojiro Suzuki from the University of Tokyo are on an especially ambitious endeavor. Today, they’re imagining how paper planes could guide us to solving humanity’s most urgent environmental crisis—space debris. The research will occur in orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS). It explores how such a simple art form as the origami paper plane might offer an elegant, sustainable solution to the growing mess that is low Earth orbit.
The paper aircraft took off from a starting altitude of 400 kilometers. It took off at a record pace of 7,800 meters per second, soaring through the harsh environment of space with precision. The research, published in the journal Acta Astronautica, demonstrates the promise of paper-based spacecraft. Perhaps more importantly, it underlines their potential utility for future crewed space missions.
The Experiment and Its Findings
To keep costs down and reduce labor, the researchers did their experiment using an A4 sheet of paper folded into a simple “paper dart.” They tested the origami plane in the University of Tokyo’s Kashiwa Hypersonic and High Enthalpy Wind Tunnel. To answer these questions, researchers constructed a scale physical model with a cast aluminum tail. They then put it through Mach 7 conditions for a full seven seconds.
The results were promising. The tip of the paper plane’s nose folded back and some scorching was visible on the wing tips from high aerodynamic pressures. Despite its flaws, it did not break apart and implode. The plane’s unusual folded design plays a key role in its stability. This one-of-a-kind design allows it to cut through the vacuum-like environment of space with ease.
“The paper space plane’s extremely low rotational inertia and aerodynamic static margin enable it to passively maintain a stable flow-pointing orientation for most of atmospheric entry.” – Maximilien Berthet et al
The paper model eventually flew more than 120 kilometers into space after four days traveling through the solar system. There, it began to take on a new tone. As it came down through the atmosphere, tumbling motion was expected with extreme aerodynamic heating. According to the researchers, burn-up usually happens at altitudes ranging from 90 to 110 km.
“Below around 120 km altitude, tumbling motion is expected, accompanied by severe aerodynamic heating resulting in burn-up in the atmosphere at around 90–110 km altitude.” – Maximilien Berthet et al
Addressing Space Debris Concerns
The rapid increase in satellite launches over the past few years has only heightened fears surrounding space debris. Low Earth orbit is getting overcrowded with spent rocket corpses, remnant debris and obsolete satellites. Even one strike can destroy or severely damage operational satellites, and that danger extends to future missions.
Berthet and Suzuki’s exploratory study demonstrates that origami-based designs such as these can provide creative solutions. Just like their paper plane provided solutions to reduce risks during take-off, the lightweight and flexible nature of paper could allow for more sustainable spacecraft designs that reduce long-term environmental impacts in space.
The authors propose these lightweight, paper-based spacecraft—which they call “deployable spacecraft technology”—as a game changing solution for future missions. These creative approaches can greatly reduce the amount of debris created from launches and in space operations. These fibrous and almost ethereal structures are constructed to burn up on re-entry. This on-the-ground action would make this costly form of space pollution more efficiently preventable.
Future Implications
As the realm of space exploration continues to grow, figuring out sustainable, proactive methods for addressing space debris will be all the more important. After two years of research, this study uncovers promising new perspectives on how origami may improve the aerospace engineering field. Not only does that save money, but it expands opportunities for research into sustainable materials for constructing spacecraft.
That combination of build and fly with advanced designs such as the paper planes would change the way future spacecraft are designed and flown. With ongoing advancements in materials science and engineering, researchers are optimistic that these concepts can lead to practical applications in real-world missions.