Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami
Abstract Space infrastructure to protect astronauts and equipment from various hazards is critical for sustainable exploration. However, conventional shelters are challenging to transport due to their large volume, and in-situ construction requires significant time. Deployable shelters can address v...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04241-8 |
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| _version_ | 1850136613763416064 |
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| author | Tae-Hyun Kim Dae-Young Lee Jae-Hung Han |
| author_facet | Tae-Hyun Kim Dae-Young Lee Jae-Hung Han |
| author_sort | Tae-Hyun Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Space infrastructure to protect astronauts and equipment from various hazards is critical for sustainable exploration. However, conventional shelters are challenging to transport due to their large volume, and in-situ construction requires significant time. Deployable shelters can address volume constraints, but thin-panel designs often lack functionality and robustness. This study introduces an origami-inspired shelter made of thick panels that expands into a dome-like shape with a volume several times greater than its stowed configuration. Unlike conventional thick-panel designs, the proposed concept is scalable for various sizes and thicknesses and deployable through simple actuation using gravity and wire tension, without manual assembly. A meter-scale prototype demonstrates stable deployment within tens of seconds. This concept enhances transportability and ease of installation while maintaining protection performance, offering a practical solution for initial manned missions to celestial bodies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1546dbd94c3142fead0f1dab01a48c5b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-1546dbd94c3142fead0f1dab01a48c5b2025-08-20T02:31:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-04241-8Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origamiTae-Hyun Kim0Dae-Young Lee1Jae-Hung Han2Department of Aerospace Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Department of Aerospace Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Department of Aerospace Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Abstract Space infrastructure to protect astronauts and equipment from various hazards is critical for sustainable exploration. However, conventional shelters are challenging to transport due to their large volume, and in-situ construction requires significant time. Deployable shelters can address volume constraints, but thin-panel designs often lack functionality and robustness. This study introduces an origami-inspired shelter made of thick panels that expands into a dome-like shape with a volume several times greater than its stowed configuration. Unlike conventional thick-panel designs, the proposed concept is scalable for various sizes and thicknesses and deployable through simple actuation using gravity and wire tension, without manual assembly. A meter-scale prototype demonstrates stable deployment within tens of seconds. This concept enhances transportability and ease of installation while maintaining protection performance, offering a practical solution for initial manned missions to celestial bodies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04241-8 |
| spellingShingle | Tae-Hyun Kim Dae-Young Lee Jae-Hung Han Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami Scientific Reports |
| title | Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami |
| title_full | Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami |
| title_fullStr | Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami |
| title_full_unstemmed | Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami |
| title_short | Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami |
| title_sort | construction of metre scale foldable space shelter based on gravity driven self assembling origami |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04241-8 |
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