Paper Airplane from Space to Earth

Members of the Japan Origami Airplane Association believe they've come up with a paper airplane design that will float from the international space station all the way to the Earth . . . and not burn up on reentry.

Pink Tentacle.

The researchers are scheduled to begin testing the strength and heat resistance of an 8 centimeter (3.1 in) long prototype on January 17 in an ultra-high-speed wind tunnel at the University of Tokyo’s Okashiwa campus (Chiba prefecture). In the tests, the origami glider — which is shaped like the Space Shuttle and has been treated to withstand intense heat — will be subjected to wind speeds of Mach 7, or about 8,600 kilometers (5,300 miles) per hour.

I guess these guys always won those contests in cubicle city at work.

But this part confuses me. 

“We hope the space station crew will write a message of peace on the plane before they launch it,” says Suzuki. “We don’t know where in the world the plane will land, but it would be nice to send a message to whoever finds it.”

Why don't they imbed a gps transmitter in it?  They can track any kind of cell phone, why not a microchip on a paper airplane?

Guess that's why I'm not an Origami expert.  Alan, got any ideas?

- rick, crumpling yet another design.

Comments

[Success Warrior]

This is very close to the design that I used to get you in trouble in Mr. Dahle's Biology class.

[The Angry Young Man]

I'd build this design at work and try it out, but the instructions are all in Japanese.

[CV Rick]

I understand, AYM. Without that translation no telling what will emerge from those paper folds.

Alan, that's probably the exact kind of plane that I got blamed for. Me, the quiet kid in the back, just watching the film and taking notes. You, the troublemaker flying airplanes around the room and disrupting class. You should be ashamed.

[a rose is a rose]

can you get me info on shibori folding techniques? now THOSE i can use

[CV Rick]

I don't even know what a shibori is.