Achieving Unprecedented Precision in Origami-based Deployable Space Systems

Origami-based design enables systems to be stowed compactly and deployed to large areas. These traits particularly benefit space systems, such as sensors, optics, and instruments that have limited transport space but require large apertures to magnify their power or resolution. Other applications include terrestrial habitations; surface mounted sensors, optics, and instruments; tubing; and other industrial structures. Additionally, the existence of numerous origami-patterns means that origami-based mechanisms can be designed to deploy into a variety of shapes to best meet the needs of each individual application. Significant research has been done to address challenges associated with mechanism deployment and stabilization, hinge design, and the accommodation of thickened panels. The large advances in origami-based mechanism design are impressive, and key technology needed to facilitate its expansion to further applications are to understand and create approaches to increase precision in-spite of large and complex rotations associated with origami-based systems. Many current methods for deploying origami-based mechanisms involve the use of stored strain energy and hard-stops. Subsequently, the alignment and performance of deployed panels are significantly affected by factors such as manufacturing variability, deployment variability, and hysteresis. These factors are difficult to control across numerous panels without increased manufacturing precision and therefore cost. The proposed research aims to achieve next-generation precision in origami- based space systems by (1) managing over-constraint, (2) implementing adjustable alignment control, and (3) optimizing active axis alignment. Increasing precision in origami-based deployable space systems would result in performance leaps for deployed sensors, instruments, and observatories, providing new strategies for current and future decadal missions, and impacting communications for generations. Additionally, by increasing performance and reducing the cost of origami-based deployable space systems, an increased amount of more affordable, more reliable, and smaller instruments could be sent into space, impacting ESPA-class satellites and the Small Spacecraft Technologies envisioned for the future.

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