Δ-mesh received a People's Choice Nomination.
Design and model (virtually, with paper or 3D printed) the packaging of key mission components for size constrained spacecraft to minimize stowed volume, but maximize capabilities.
One of the ultimate purposes of this paper is to create and design a model that could be used to pack components and the spaceship can manage it. We have to maximize capabilities and minimize the volume of this model.
That model should travel through space and land anywhere it is needed, for example on another planet or in a spaceship .The designed model will have the capability to
It was firstly suggested to design a model that will be able to arrive to space on its ownWe first thought of a model than can travel by its’ own to space and land, either on a planet or either on a spaceship with solar arrays.
The principle idea is to create a model that is expandable and folded , travel through space and use as much space needed. In other words, the model is expandable in three dimensions to the extend the user desires to.This means, that it can expand to 3 dimensions as much as the user wants.
In order for the above to be achieved, numerous ideas have been suggested. To achieve this goal, we came up with many ideas. The first conclusion drawn is that the most ideal shape to apply the model is the hexagon since it possesses the most adequate wall to floor ratio, and the idea that the most efficient solution will be a material that is an expandable material which will provide flexibility to let the structure to expand as much the user need.
The first idea was to create a hexagonal prism that can expand in 3 dimensions, so a thorough online research has been conducted and reached the origami way. we searched on the internet and found a way to make it in origami. However, after it has been finalized , it has been commonly decided that it was not the best kind of solution for the box that can travel through space and get organized by its own, because it cannot get packed and folded easily and ergonomically, so the idea has been altered to creating a hexagon in 2 dimensions that can expand as well.
The suggested idea so that the model could be expandable was to apply the scissors mode. The main idea is to have main bars, that are connected in the centre and have the property to move up to 180°. Then, on every side of the bars there are nodes that connect with another mechanism that is in the back and at its slide. Consequently, when the mechanism moves horizontally, then all the mechanics move that way along with the vertical axis,. For example, if the horizontal axis moves out, then the vertical axis moves in at the same time. Taking this into consideration, the box is expanded to all sides.
However, this idea is not ideal for a hexagon, due to the fact that it cannot can’t expand with the above mentioned idea, as that mechanism is the one next to the other and it shapes a square. It was then concluded that the only ideal way was to establish a shaped model, so it can expand correctly. The other idea, was to keep the hexagonal shape of the model,except the fact that the mechanism would only be used next to every bar in every side, as well as, in 2 or 3 columns that would be created with those mechanisms within every side. The positive aspect of this statement is that the hexagonal shape of the model is preserved, since it has the desired ration and then get more and more expanded with the principle idea.
Then, it was suggested that the model should have a door, so it can be opened and have the option of putting objects inside.. The idea of the hexagon shape model it is feasible with it, as we can have a door in one or two sides that can expand the same way that the model does. On the other side of the coin, the idea of the square shaped model with the mechanism in all sides is not feasible, due to the fact that if the mechanisms are removed in some space, then the model cannot work correctly. All in all, the idea of creating a model that has 2 current and solid sides has been adopted, that has one door in every side and when it is organized by its own, then it can create 2 current walls with doors and the other 2 sides can be made of an elastic material.
One of the functional aspects of the last ideas proposed is that they can expand as much as the user wants; that they have doors and lastly that they are self-organized. Additionally, the models established, while they are packed it is worth mentioning that they are small enough to fit into a spaceship. Despite their small size, there can be more than one in every spaceship that can be carried and when they arrive to space, then they can all go in one direction, or then they can travel each one by their own and go in different directions. Further explaining, the hexagonal model can connect with the other side by side, or the one above the other and then they can separate and travel in different ways, or land together. The square shaped model works with the same way as the above mentioned one.
It is worth noting that the square shaped model, is able to travel with another 4 or 5 same models and land all together on another planet. Afterwards, the one shall expand on its own or the one after the other continuously by creating a pattern. Taking this into consideration, as the 2 sides of every model are connected and solid, then a temporary space station can be developed for researching and experimental purposes.
Both models can be expanded 40 times than their original shape. The hexagonal model can be expanded in all dimensions and the polyhedral model only on horizontal axis.
The Rectangular Model:
The Hexagonal Model: