Novel Deployable Sunshade for a Formation-Flying Telescope

- Deployable sunshade is based on folding paper party decoration.
- Cellular structure creates strong, rigid form.
- Instead of folding flat, the cellular fan is wrapped around a central hollow core to
accommodate a focusing optic.
- Imbedded spring ribs deploy the cellular fan into a large disk.
- Shade is constructed of thermal blanket materials and is sewn together rather than glued.
- Design bears some resemblance to JPL starshade, but is a much simpler design
- JPL design includes pantograph-like mechanical structure and motors to drive
deployment.