And the Rube Goldberg Prize in Aeronautics Goes to…

Science, WTF?

The Japanese Space Agency, for preparing a space launch in order to float a paper airplane back to earth.

A successful flight from space by an origami plane could have far-reaching implications for the design of re-entry vehicles or space probes for upper atmospheric exploration, said project leader Shinji Suzuki, a professor at Tokyo University's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Suzuki said he was skeptical a decade ago when he first discussed with experts the idea of sending into space a craft made in the tradition of Japan's ancient art of paper folding.

"It sounded like a simply impossible, crazy idea," Suzuki said. "I gave it some more thought, and came to think it may not be ridiculous after all, and could very well survive if it comes down extremely slowly."

Supercool.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Ken  •  Mar 28, 2008 @2:09 pm

    It's too bad it won't fly. But then again, what does?