According to Robert Salazar, If you study nature from an artistic and scientific perspective while gaining proficiency in your medium, you can allow your artistic pursuits to give rise to engineering applications, and your engineering pursuits to give rise to works of art.
Salazar is an expert of striking the perfect balance between art and science. A master of origami and an environmental studies student, hes able to apply both his art and science skills to build solar reflectors for a project at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Salazars had to work incredibly hard: after attending five different high schools and losing his home, hes managed to follow his dreams by finding ways to allow his artistic endeavors to apply to impressive engineering pursuits. He documents all of his explorations on his website, and we were lucky enough to also chat with him about his story here. Check out the conversation below, which has been edited for clarity.
TERRI BURNS: Tell me about your background, what you're studying in school, and some of your interests.
ROBERT SALAZAR: I earned my associates degree before transferring to UCSB as a physics major, where I transitioned to a major in environmental studies with a minor in philosophy.
In school, I take the opportunity to familiarize myself with what is happening to our environment and to each other around the world, and how our understanding of the world coupled with our behavior leads to freedom from environmental degradation and involuntary suffering or otherwise. I take great interest in further developing the framework I use to approach these problems and identifying relevant theorems in a network context.
Additionally, I strive to further develop the ancient Japanese art of origami into a powerful expressive medium that can inspire social change toward environmental sustainability and peace. Ive spent 17 years folding origami, and 8 years designing them rigorously. Everything I fold is an original design from a single uncut sheet. My courses of study are well suited to origami design, where the objective is to establish harmony among many folded features that are intimately and geometrically related to each other, and take up a finite sheet of paper. In origami, these relationships can be transformed, but they can never be cut by scissors, nor can paper be added.
TB: Tell me about the work you're doing now as a JPL intern.
RS: At JPL I'm currently developing large origami deployable solar reflectors for the Trans-Formers for Lunar Extreme Environments project. The project mission is to illuminate permanently shaded regions in the interior of Shackleton Crater at south pole of the Moon. Though the rim of Shackleton Crater receives constant sunlight nearly all year long, its interior has remained in darkness for billions of years, allowing its temperature to cool to ~90K (~ -300F), a temperature well suited to the capture of icy debris from nearby comet impacts over the eons. The solar reflectors would be mounted in pairs on a support structure on the crater rim, and would track the sun to illuminate and power robotic explorers in regions of interest ~10km below.
On the project, I design the solar reflectors and their deployment mechanisms. I use finite element analyses and simulations to determine what materials would allow a reflector to deploy very flat under tension, within 1mm/m deviation, and operate under constant solar radiation and temperature extremes for years on end, while maintaining >95 percent directional reflectivity. Then I write algorithms to design origami crease patterns that would allow a solar reflector to deploy to the size of the Statue of Liberty from a package ~1 cubic meter in volume and ~100kg.
TB: What's your backstory? How did you get where you are today?
RS: I faced difficulties graduating high school. I had attended five high schools, and lost my house twice during that time. Later, my first summer of research was at UCSB, where I discovered the photoacoustic effect in nanostructured thin metal films. This discovery ultimately led to a photoacoustic phased array, and a much cheaper alternative to the production of ultra-high frequency ultrasound. I spent the next summer at JPL developing thermoelectric materials for cooling X-ray detectors aboard space telescopes.
In the summer of 2015 I returned to JPL as an intern to work on the Starshade project [a free-flying spacecraft that would block the glare of a distant star so a separate space telescope could see its much fainter planets]. My task was to develop a crease pattern that would allow the slightly conical optical shield of the Starshade to stow to a well-defined volume and create a perfect light seal with its mechanical truss throughout deployment. The challenge required me to write an algorithm that could design a crease pattern to fit its given stow requirements, boundary conditions, and material thickness. My success on Starshade led me to the Transformers project the following summer.
TB: How did you get interested in solar reflectors specifically, and why are they important?
RS: The advantages of renewable energy and the mission of the transformers project got me interested in developing solar reflectors. Their ability to generate and redirect energy, catalyze chemical reactions, propel spacecraft, and be deployed from small lightweight packages to large surface areas further solidified my interest. Their traditionally low cost, simplicity, and reliance on an abundant, though diffuse, energy source, makes them an attractive technology.
TB: What do you want to do in your career? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
RS: I plan to continue at JPL to meet the origami challenges of the future and to continue building my company, Orisun into one that can deliver portable origami deployable solar concentrators for desalination, water purification, rain capture, energy generation, atmospheric water generation, and solar cooking to people who have been displaced by war, climate change, and natural disasters. I will also continue to develop origami into a powerful medium that is well-acquainted with a grand diversity of interactive materials for artistic expression and engineering.
TB: What is something that you would love to see happen someday in your field of study?
RS: Just as every unit of surface in a sheet of paper gives rise to all of an origamis folded features, so too does energy and matter give rise to the systems we take part in.
I would love to see the rise of technology that has been designed with its downstream life cycle in mind. I would love to see an end to the labeling of materials and energy as waste, when each has its own unique potential to be something new or to do useful work. In any finite system where energy and matter are conserved, you can almost be certain that energy is flowing and materials are changing. Everything that ends is giving rise to something else. If we can develop a world where we find utility in everything we make throughout its life cycle, we can achieve sustainability, as nature has shown us we can.
TB: What advice do you have for other students who may be interested in doing the kind of work you do?
RS: Well acquaint yourself with the problems of the world. You never know how valuable something you made or discovered will be for many other purposes.
If you study nature from an artistic and scientific perspective while gaining proficiency in your medium, you can allow your artistic pursuits to give rise to engineering applications, and your engineering pursuits to give rise to works of art. Pursuing them together, can take your designs and your medium to very interesting places.
More:
The Origami of Space Exploration - Scientific American (blog)
- Space | National Archives [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- 50 Years of Presidential Visions for Space Exploration [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2017]
- New 'Life' Trailer Brings Terrifying Thrills from Mars (Exclusive) - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Obama gutted NASA. Here are 3 ways Trump can make space ... - Conservative Review [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes sets eyes on space exploration, faster transport - Economic Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Cassini Captures Stunning View of Enceladus | Space Exploration ... - Sci-News.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Astronauts' Brains Are Changed By Spaceflight, MRI-Based Study Reveals - International Business Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- TeamIndus launches Moonshot Wheels to inspire Indian rural students about Space Exploration - International Business Times, India Edition [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Belarus invites Iran to cooperate in pharmaceutical industry, space exploration - Belarus News (BelTA) [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Cabinet briefed on India-Vietnam Framework Agreement on outer space exploration - Daily News & Analysis [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Legislation Would Require Strategic Plan for NASA Human Spaceflight - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Trump's Vision of Space Exploration - The New American [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- New NASA Leadership Inherits Rejuvenated Space Exploration Program - eNews Park Forest [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Outgoing NASA Team Leaves Its Successors With Robust Options for Space Exploration - Center For American Progress [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Space exploration brought to life for pupils - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Mechs and greater space exploration are on the way in Starbound's ... - PCGamesN [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- As US, Russia eye stagnant space budgets, India ramps up investment - Ars Technica [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Nuclear Reactors to Power Space Exploration - R & D Magazine [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- NASA spends $2mn on 'advanced life support tech' for deep space travel - RT [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Could A Habitable Planet Feature A Habitable Moon? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Turkmenistan Aims High as It Pledges Space Exploration - EurasiaNet [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans Aim to Prioritize NASA Space Exploration Efforts Over Environmental Research - Independent Journal Review [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- One huge step: Trump's plans to privatize 'low Earth orbit' and send NASA into deep space - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- How reusable rockets are paving the way for the next phase of space exploration - Mirror.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 2 New Research Institutes to Help Humanity Explore Deep Space - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Space Startups Are Booming in the Mojave Desert - Fortune [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Sen. Nelson Talks Space Exploration At Florida A&M University ... - WFSU [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- DELINGPOLE: NASA to Stop Shilling for Big Green, Restart Exploring Space - Breitbart News [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Nuclear reactors to power space exploration - Los Alamos Monitor [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Space exploration programs must continue - The Eagle [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Editorial: Exploration can help us understand this planet - Loveland Reporter-Herald [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- NASA selects new technologies for flight tests for future space exploration - Space Daily [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Why Does NASA Suddenly Want Humans On New Spacecraft's First Flight? - Vocativ [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- NASA seeks university-level solutions for deep space human exploration challenges - Pulse Headlines [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Should Humans Leave Space Exploration To Robots? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Space Exploration - WGN Radio [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Jumping at space travel - Indiana Daily Student [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2017]
- Why the 'ultimate wearables' lie in the future of space exploration - Wareable [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- How to improve SA's space program - News24 [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Darlington power plant helps fuel NASA's space exploration - CTV News [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Donald Trump Will Call For a Return of Human Space Exploration - Inverse [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- What Donald Trump Said About Space Travel During His Speech - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Trump's call for human space exploration is hugely wasteful and pointless - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- What is the fascination with space exploration? - Grand Valley Lanthorn [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Teachers attend space exploration conference, bring back lessons out of this world - Arlington Times [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Reader applauds space exploration pioneers - Fairfaxtimes.com [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Jeff Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Plans for Private Space Exploration - Wall Street Journal (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Your Cheat-Sheet Guide to the New Space Race - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon chief to announce new space exploration plans - RT [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon Chief Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Private Space Exploration Plans - Fox Business [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- If India or China Beats the US to Mars, It Will Feel Like a Military Defeat - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- When We Explore Space, We Go Together - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- How Barack Obama ruined NASA space exploration - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- Future Tense Newsletter: Space Exploration Isn't Just About Scientific Discovery - Slate Magazine (blog) [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 133 Projects to Aid Deep Space Exploration - PC Magazine [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- A Trinity professor will play a big role in space exploration - thejournal.ie [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars - America Now [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Russia Aims to Develop New Cooperation in Space Exploration - Sputnik International [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- NASA Announces 2017 'Chroniclers,' Recognizing Those Who ... - SpaceCoastDaily.com [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- The Pros And Cons Of Privatizing Space Exploration - Forbes [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Experts Look to Next Frontiers at Event - UMass Lowell [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- CNSA boss outlines China's space exploration agenda - SpaceNews - SpaceNews [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- These Are the Wildly Advanced Space Exploration Concepts Being ... - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- A Brief History of Space Exploration - The Aerospace Corporation [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- Americans Like Spending Money on Space Exploration, Survey Finds - Inverse [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Launch of India's biggest rocket is a defining moment in space exploration - DailyO [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Space Matter: The Trouble with Spacesuits :: Science :: Features ... - Paste Magazine [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- China willing to cooperate in peaceful space exploration: Xi - Space Daily [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Pence reiterates plans to reestablish the National Space Council - SpaceNews [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Can Private Companies Operate in Space? - Law Street Media (blog) [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Game 'Outreach' Receives First Gameplay Trailer ... - Hardcore Gamer [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Will Space Exploration lead us to a Global Space Agency - Space Daily [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Ocean vs Space: Exploration and the Quest to Inspire the Public - Marine Technology News [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- A 3D-printed rocket engine just launched a new era of space exploration - The Independent [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- Belarus' drive for peaceful space exploration underlined - Belarus News (BelTA) [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- Here's why you should pay close attention to India's space program - Mashable [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2017]
- China to provide more opportunities to private companies for space exploration - Space Daily [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2017]
- Space exploration: The solutions to land scarcity - Real Estate Weekly [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2017]
- What China's space ambitions have to do with politics - Space Daily [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]