Tattva

Universal Event | Webb Origami Design Challenge

Awards & Nominations

Tattva has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!

Global Nominee

WEBB ORIGAMI DESIGN CHALLENGE

High-Level Project Summary

With techniques of origami, we developed a scale model of NASA’s JWST. These origami patterns are a foundation to highlight the telescope's elegant engineering and artistic inspiration. The challenge of creating large structures that fold up for transportation is executed with this enthralling art where multiple patterns were folded using paper to divulge and transpire the hidden geometries in the various folds. The subtle beauty of origami surfaced with powerful mathematical principles initiates development process for a door to a very distant future. With this proposition we intend to impel the posterity to be more active as members of society while discovering this conquest of space.

Link to Project "Demo"

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bFWaUYe0IQH2Th-sB-aeJX8pl0m9zu1-?usp=sharing

Link to Final Project

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aytIhGlcpJYkQnmYx3f_YS6T0cMwMMuw?usp=sharing

Detailed Project Description

Origami?

A state-of-the-art Origami design for the James Webb Space Telescope gives an insight into how the ancient art of Origami is used in designing the actual telescope.

Using origami we were able to make large flat structures like the Primary Mirror of JWST while shrinking its dimensions and still deploying it easily. Origami technique can be utilised in various technological fields to build systems to fit in lesser space and deployed at the required place thus removing the logistical challenges.

We started this project by understanding the various modules attached to the telescope and its use. We then proceeded to brainstorm the ideas to develop the model. An inherent advantage of origami is that the mere act of folding a material can make it more rigid.

How does it work?

Following the simple actions and the concepts of folding, we were able to develop a rigid structure, yet at the same taking advantage of the flexibility of the material to create specific motions like the solar array. The functional motion of origami inspired us to implement the telescope designs and allowed us to convert a flat sheet of material into almost any shape only by folding. The pliable kite-shaped membrane will protect the Webb observatory from the glare and heat of the Sun as it tries to image the deep Universe.

We’ve made the structure of the telescope in such a way that it can be folded and deployed just how the actual telescope does.

What do we wish to achieve?

From origami, we hope to achieve inspiration to help package big space structures more efficiently. We can take ideas from origami and apply them to spacecraft structures.

As we move forward with technology, we incorporate artistic viewpoints inspired by ancient arts. This teaches us how we need to keep in touch with our artistic heritage to propel forward. We expect our design of the telescope to inspire the younger generation to use their creative and imaginative skills, and create something which progresses mankind.

We wish to inspire and inculcate the same in the curious and driven minds of the world. The project brings light to the fact that when it comes to space exploration if we want to think big we also have to think small.

Our approach towards Folding Techniques:

Being a group of budding engineers we revolved around the immense origami capabilities for future transportation in the space industry. Origami is an ancient art culture which is taking its shape in a modernised way that is helping and will help furthermore in the future whether solving problems on earth or problems in space.

We first started off with a detailed analysis of the whole JWST structure. With continuous brainstorming sessions each and every day we looked at different aspects of deployment beginning from the bottom-most solar array to the end of having cord wings deployment.

Our final model inculcated deployment of -

Bottommost solar array
Deployment of sun shield palettes
Aft flaps
Mid boom extensions
Sunshield membrane layering
Secondary mirror
Aft deployment radiator releases

Being a scale model we had to incorporate different folding techniques with a primary focus on the hexagon. Our folding techniques in general are user-friendly for all ages whether it be for school-going students or to the elderly people who engage themselves in folding techniques.

This further reduces the complexity of the whole deployment procedure and as a result, you achieve a stunning origami structure.

Materials, Tools, and Techniques used:

We’ve used different coloured papers such that the audience can easily identify the different modules attached to the telescope. We made use of different origami paper grades and a few other office supplies like scissors, glue, etc. Various techniques ranging from Miura folding to tesselletion patterns were applied in achieving the final structure.

Space Agency Data

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ihVeEoUdo

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10337

https://jwst.nasa.gov/index.html

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html

https://jwst.nasa.gov/content/features/index.html

Hackathon Journey

Our experience and take backs

This is one of the most unique challenges that the team has worked on. It was wonderful to learn about the versatility of origami. We realize the amount of skill and practice it takes to master this art form, all we hope is that we did justice to the amalgamation of art and science. Our major take back is how patience and perseverance through the most difficult stages can unfold into something magnificent.

Inspiration behind the selection of this project

Origami, an unlikely source of inspiration for scientists and engineers, yet the centuries-old art of paper folding has long been of interest in applications involving geometric problems that are impossible to solve with these mathematical instruments and can be easily deciphered by folding paper. We, being engineering students, have an ick for creativity. Due to the pandemic, we are dwindled in our daily online college routine and hence, we wished to do something that challenged us to get out of our comfort zones.

Our approach

The first step was breaking down the components of the James Webb Space Telescope followed by understanding its significance and deployment. We then brainstormed ideas about several folding techniques feasible for each component. Next step was distributing these components, developing prototypes and getting comfortable with the folding techniques required to make it user friendly for all age groups.

Setbacks and challenges

The biggest challenge was the team members residing in different parts of the country. However, doing research and developing prototypes independently, and testing their feasibility is what got us through. Honest communication, keeping a voting system in case of differences in ideas, and sheer hard work helped us resolve challenges and setbacks.

Acknowledgements

We’d like to thank our families for supporting us through the challenge. Special thanks to all the coffee makers in the world to get us through the hackathon.