Japan’s Paper Plane From Space

Japan is taking the paper plane to where no paper plane has been before, into space! That’s right, SPACE! Adding new meaning to ’sky is the limit’, Japan aims to launch history’s first paper plane from outer space back to Earth! As improbable as it sounds, if anyone can do it, it’ll be the Japanese and their crazy origami skills and technology - University of Tokyo and the Japan folded paper plane association has teamed up for this and is led by Professor Shinji Suzuki of Tokyo University!

As exciting as it sounds, the paper plane that will be used is still to endure many more tests to prove its worth for it’s space travel capabilities, afterall it’ll be travelling at Mach 7 (8,600 km/hr) and temperature in the hundreds on re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

It all may sounds impossible but the outlook seems good as the prototype plane has survived a grilling 300 degrees and not get burn - some special A-Grade Japanese paper? The paper plane has also withstand mach 7 velocity for 10 seconds so far. The actual plane will be around 40 centimeters long and weigh about 30 grams, it will be launched 400km above Earth from the International Space Station in November this year.



One problem that the professor is experience is where the paper plane will land, so remember, November this year, look up to the sky; you just might be become the lucky owner of the first space paper plane! Japanese paper plane may I add!

The Japanese are going to try and throw Boomerangs in space too!

Source:
Mainichi
Picture courtesy of Flickr and Mainichi

6 Comments

1. A user, February 8, 2008:

   Why?

1. Skull Panda, February 8, 2008:

   I agree. Isn’t there something better they could be doing with their resources?

1. jiggles, February 9, 2008:

   Why don’t you shut the hell up!

1. This guy, February 9, 2008:

   The same reason we climb mountains and jump out of planes. Because they can. And Engrish FTW?

1. asd, February 9, 2008:

   they’re leaning towards testing out ultra cheap re-entry capsules. This is a materials test. Idiots.

1. Anonymous, February 11, 2008:

   Wry are they doing this?

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