KY EPSCoR: FY25: NASA: RIDG-24-006: Space Drilling Rig with Intelligent, Lightweight, and Low-volume, Based on Origami and Tensegrity Systems (Space-DRILLBOTS) - Match for 3200004560

Tensegrity and origami are advanced paradigms in deployable structures, each with unique applications and advantages. Tensegrity is used in designing space habitats, lunar towers, and other structures, offering mass efficiency and tunable stiffness. However, it lacks a protective cover and has complex joint fabrication. Origami, used in solar panels, robotics and other fields, allows for complex shapes and compact storage but suffers from low stiffness and control challenges during deformation. The University of Kentucky''s proposal investigates combining Tensegrity and Origami, a largely unexplored area. It focuses on creating a unified model that leverages the advantages of both systems to advance deployable structure design.