How NASA is using Origami 

How do you get a humongous solar panel into space in a small compartment of a rocket?  NASA engineers used origami to plan how solar panels can fold up to fit into a small compartment and how the solar panel will break away from the rocket after being launched into space.  These solar panels block the sun's path, so they can get a closer look at other planets and see if life is on them. 

There are other ways origami can be used in space like a cube satellite with an inflatable mast. The mast needs to quickly extend and stay rigid, which is a challenge.  Mark Schenk, a researcher, used origami principles to find a solution.  He used a laminate material that unfolds in six seconds. 

NASA is using origami to form future spacecraft. For example, origami is being used to design the Starshade. 

Source: https://www.popsci.com/article/science/robots-retinas-9-amazing-origami-applications#page-3