Oxford Space Systems (OSS) (www.oxfordspacesystems.com) has used the Japanese art of origami for its new deployable spacecraft structures, which it says could help to create lighter, simpler satellite payloads.

The UK start-up collaborated with Professor Zhong You of Oxford University — an expert in deployable closed kinematic chain structures and origami folding; together, they have created structural designs that use ‘shape memory’ materials made up of fibres and resins that unfurl in a controlled way, similar to natural structures such as leaves.

OSS is focusing on three specific areas: deployable panels, large deployable antennas, and flexible composite boom systems. Products developed so far include the Astrotube and Astrotube Max — two retractable booms that can be extended 3m and 15m from a spacecraft respectively.

According to OSS, the booms have significantly fewer moving parts, and consequently a lower risk of mechanical failure. Once they have unfolded from the satellite structure, the booms can be used to position other parts of the payload, such as antennas or solar panels. The company has also developed a 4m parabolic antenna, which it claims is lighter in design than others of its type and requires a single motor to deploy.

The company has had the benefit of support from Innovate UK, the Satellite Applications Catapult and the Harwell Launchpad competition, growing from one employee to more than 10 in under two years. It is expecting second-round funding this year.

In March, OSS was selected by the UK Space Agency to fly its AstroTube Boom on a 3U cubesat (a miniature satellite for space research) mission, set to launch in 2016.